Home » September 2017 » Currently Reading:

Mobility trap

September 13, 2017 September 2017 No Comments

The raising of a pedestrian crossing has create a real trap for mobility scooter and wheelchairs, as one of our residents recently found out. Entering the crossing Texas Street Denise Evan’s wheelchair suddenly tipped backwards as it climbed the steep gradient from the gutter.

Denise said “its really frightens me”, she cannot negotiate that crossing and so has to go further down the footpath and cross on the road. She adds that others have to do the same “ it’s not just me, we see it all the time, and somebody will get hurt.
Being between the Kitchener Street and Jellicoe Street business areas this crossing is very well used and thought should have gone into ensuring that it is mobility friendly. Fixing it is so simple and cost peanuts. In cases such as this the Carterton District Council puts a steel plate between the footpath an raised crossing so providing a smooth transition.
Surely the Council should be able to make this a priority? Denise adds that the crossing at Cool Change is also really dangerous for the same reason and should be attended to.
It is all too easy for we fully mobile people to overlook the difficulties, sometimes unwittingly, put in the way of those dependant on wheels to get around. Not just the state of crossings and footpaths but also the lack of. There is no footpath along northern Princess Street which is not just a very busy through road but also with high number of tourists moving between the vineyards. Residents sharing the road with a high volume of traffic is dangerous and frightening experience particularly if confined to a mobility scooter or wheelchair.
The council’s attention has been drawn to this situation but have replied that providing a footpath is a matter funds. A very satisfactory footpath of crushed lime rolled to a solid surface was put in for commuters between the Featherston railway station and the town centre simply and quickly. It certainly must have been only a minimal amount cash wise.

Comment on this Article:

FEATURED BUSINESSES

Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

Recent Comments