Roundabout's green light
A $1.3 million roundabout on Heads Rd will go ahead, after the Wanganui District Council approved its construction during 10-year plan deliberations yesterday.
The council debated the merits of the roundabout, at the intersection of Heads Rd, Beach Rd, and Prince St, during deliberations - but not all councillors agreed it should be built.
Councillor Rob Vinsen said the intersection was not listed among the most dangerous in Wanganui.
"So I don't support this project," he said.
Mr Vinsen, along with councillors Rangi Wills and Sue Westwood voted against the roundabout, while all others supported it. Councillors Michael Laws and Clive Solomon were not at the meeting.
Public submissions were received both for and against the roundabout, from businesses and individuals alike.
One of the main driving forces behind the roundabout was the Heads Rd Industrial Group, which approached the council about the intersection more than a year ago.
Chairman Darrell Hoskin, from Dave Hoskin Carriers, said he was delighted by the council's decision.
"We're very happy [the council] has come to the conclusion that they wished to support our submission," Mr Hoskin said.
He said the main concerns the group had about the intersection were safety and traffic flows.
"We feel very strongly about it. We just don't want anyone to be killed at that intersection," he said.
Mr Hoskin said he hoped the roundabout would slow traffic down in the area.
"Our group is all about trying to attract more businesses to Wanganui. If we're successful in that, we're going to have more traffic along Heads Rd."
He said he was looking forward to the day his company's trucks could safety pull out of their depot without worrying about speeding vehicles along Heads Rd.
The roundabout's cost is $1.3 million, but the council will only pay $364,000 towards it. The balance would be met by the New Zealand Transport Agency.
