Roydvale lights queried

Press, 31 July 1984, Page 7

Roydvale lights queried

A group of parents who want traffic lights installed at the intersection of Memorial Avenue and Roydvale Avenue will be asked to consider the benefits of imposing “No stopping” restrictions and other measures there instead. The Roydvale School Par-ent-Teacher Association

presented a petition with more than 1600 signatures to the Waimairi District Council’s works, reserves and traffic committee on July 2 asking that the lights be installed. Last evening the committee considered a recommendation by Waimairi’s traffic engineer, Mr P. L. Atkinson, that a

number of other measures be adopted instead, and decided to discuss the recommendation with P.T.A. representatives.

Mr Atkinson recommended that “No Stopping at All Times” restrictions be imposed along Memorial Avenue and Roydvale Avenue for varying distances leading up to the intersection. Sealed strips should be installed across the Memorial Avenue median east and west of the intersection for pedestrians to cross.

Mr Atkinson also recommended dividing into two lanes the approaches of Roydvale Avenue into Memorial Avenue, and suggested that consideration be given to installing a leftturn island from Memorial Avenue into the southern leg of Roydvale Avenue. Mr Atkinson said that traffic volumes at the intersection did not meet the New Zealand standard specifications for traffic lights. Installing lights would give children a sense of safety in crossing the intersection which did not necessarily exist, he said. “What has got to be done is to instill in children themselves a basic knowledge of how to cross the road. When you are relying on somebody else for your safety, you increase the risk,” he said.

Although traffic signals helped alleviate crossing problems at intersections, the safety of pedestrians downstream from intersections controlled by traffic signals decreased dramatically, he said. Cr lan Calvert said the council had received one of its biggest petitions asking that something be done. The National Roads Board should be asked to subsidise the installation of lights at the intersection, he said. Landscaping

Council staff will investigate the availability of a 15m strip of land along Johns Road for landscaping under the “Beautiful New Zealand” scheme.

The land, which borders on a piggery on Johns Road near Harewood Road, is owned by the Railways Corporation. Funding for landscaping it is available under the scheme, although the scheme requires that the land be publicly owned. The strip of land has been valued at $17,500. Cr P. M. Carter said the council should not buy the land, as it had higher spending priorities. Cr A. A. Adcock said it was not envisaged that the council would have to buy the land when the planting proposal was first mooted. Council staff will discuss with the Railways Corporation* the availability of the la£>