Holt calls for a clean sweep

The roundabout at the intersection of Sloane, Arawata and Alexandra streets.

Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board chair Ange Holt wants to weed out the reason behind the state of some areas of the CBD.

In her chairperson’s report to the board at last week’s June meeting, Holt said several areas including pedestrian crossings, median strips and some of the roundabouts are covered in moss and weeds.

A particular area of concern she outlined – and labelled one of the worst – was the Cambridge Rd roundabout which she said falls under the responsibility of transport agency Waka Kotahi.

“That’s currently just full of weeds around the roses,” she said in her report.

She said the Sloane St roundabout was “continually” having directional arrow signage knocked over and damaged.

“It looks awful. Can the signage be placed nearer the middle, so it’s not where trucks catch them on their way around?” she asked.

Additionally, crossings throughout town – including on Bank, Arawata and Vaile streets were all covered in moss, Holt said.

“Other cities manage to mitigate these risks and still maintain their road edges, roundabouts and median strips, so what – and when – can something be done about these issues?

“I’d be interested in seeing a level of service undertaken to keeping them free of weed and moss.”

Holt said feedback regarding the state of the main street was also prevalent in the recent Who Are we Te Awamutu survey.

She said she spoke with Waipā District Council’s transportation manager, Bryan Hudson, who stated works and upgrades were on the radar for Mahoe, Arawata, Sloane and Market streets.

Dim lighting over some pedestrian crossings was also being addressed, he said.

In the meantime, Holt recommended the board ask council for more details about when – and how regularly – a street and amenity clean is carried out.

“Let’s start with that,” she said.

 

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