Changes for traffic using London St

Traffic flows are in for a major change at two of Wanganui's busier inner city intersections.

Both involve traffic using London St, with the first occurring at its intersection with Victoria Ave and the other where it crosses Halswell St.

The changes were signed off by the Wanganui District Council's infrastructure and property committee this week.

Planned changes to the Victoria Ave-London St intersection will mean motorists will not be able to turn right into London St from the Avenue, and motorists coming along London St from the Aramoho end will likewise not be allowed to turn right into the Avenue.

This also means traffic wanting to carry on to London St from the Aramoho end will have to go via Glasgow St.

However, traffic coming along London St from Springvale will still be able to turn right and still use the slip lane that goes up Great North Rd.

Rui Leitao, council roading engineer, said the changes would probably start in two months' time.

Mr Leitao said further improvements to the intersection, taking in the State Highway 3 section, had been considered but if the initial changes prove sufficient then further alterations probably would not be needed.

The other intersection change will see the partial stopping of the Aramoho side of London St where it meets Halswell St.

But this recommendation did not get unanimous support with councillors Rob Vinsen and Randhir Dahya opposed to to it.

Mr Vinsen said this was a case of engineers "over-designing" a simple solution to a problem.

He said a stop sign was all that was needed, a view shared by Mr Dahya.

Mr Leitao said this intersection was a high accident spot in the city with all reported accidents happening during daylight hours.

He said local residents had been consulted about planned changes and the idea of closing off part of London St got stronger approval from those living nearest to the intersection.

Other options considered included speed humps, replacing "give way" with "stop" signs, or closing both sides of London St.

Cutting back street trees was not favoured nor was the idea of installing a roundabout.

While one side of London St will be closed altogether, the other side will be governed by a stop sign.

The changes at this intersection will be reviewed after six months.