Fears for children after Hamilton road closed
Claudelands residents are concerned for children’s safety after the partial closure of a busy street to make way for Hamilton’s new ring route.
The intersection of Tramway Rd and East St has been permanently cut off from Peachgrove Rd since early April, with through traffic and a bus route diverting along nearby streets that have schools on them.
Mother of three Sharon McConnell is worried about sending her children to the bus stops on Peachgrove Rd, which are “a long way away for little legs in the winter.”
“I don’t feel good about the kids traipsing down to Peachgrove Rd either in the mornings, or after school,” Ms McConnell said. “Have you seen the traffic that backs up around here?”
Southwell School deputy headmaster Trevor Stembridge is also concerned about the safety of students and parents dropping their children off on Enderley Ave and Peachgrove Rd, the likely alternative route for many motorists.
“It was busy enough as it was, and now we have to leave earlier for work as well as worry that our students are correctly applying their knowledge of road safety,” he said.
City planning and development chair Dave Macpherson said: “We have to do something about making the Peachgrove Rd and East St intersection safer for people to cross.
“The intersection and that whole area will eventually be upgraded which will ease traffic flow.”
He said he was working closely with Environment Waikato to evaluate putting in a bus stop at the end of East Street near where it joins Tramway Rd.
“According to policy there has to be a bus stop within 400m of anyone’s house, and as far as I know the property farthest away from Peachgrove Road is between 400 and 500 metres,” Mr Macpherson said.
Home owner Brian Joyce was concerned at traffic congestion in the area.
“Traffic is already starting to back up to Five Cross Roads in the mornings;” he said “There’s going to be an accident sooner or later. It’s just a matter of time.”
A report by the Hamilton City Council – City Development Unit in March 2010 states that closing the end of East Street “is an important step in construction of the bridge and underpass,”
Ramps will be built using earth fill up to a 6m-high bridge over the railway line at Ruakura Road. This will connect Tramway and Ruakura Rds and eventually Cobham Dr.
