Roading issue draws feedback

Public submissions regarding the strategic roading network in the vicinity of Bunnythorpe close in a week’s time and the Manawatu District Council is hoping for more feedback.


Thirty submissions had been received by council early this week on whether it should be developing and implementing such a network and which of its two preferred route options would best meet the project’s objectives.


Assets Group Manager, Richard Kirby, said submissions had been received from people throughout the district, including residents in Bunnythorpe and Feilding, and he was keen for greater input.


“We are hoping for a lot more because council wants to get a good feel from the community on which of the preferred options they favour,” he said.


Submissions close with council at 5pm on Thursday, March 20.


Mr Kirby said it was difficult for council to address some of the more detailed questions being asked by submitters because a preferred route had not yet been decided.


“We can’t answer at this stage some of the questions like the widths of road, how much road are we going to need and where it actually goes in respect to individual properties,” he said. “Some of these details will be worked through once we’ve identified the preferred route.”


Mr Kirby said there had been some feedback that only two proposals were produced as preferred options, but this was what council had decided in December.


“Six options were canvassed last year and presented to council who decided on the two most preferred. Two of the other four options are backups and open to comment if people feel the two preferred options are not what they want.”


He said talk on improving the roading network between Feilding and Palmerston North had been going on for nearly 50 years and it was now time to actively progress this interest.


“We have to make a decision before we go too much further down the track, particularly in regards to development and the like. Let’s get some good roading links in place.


“If we don’t do this now, we will have a clogged-up network and safety issues around properties with intensive development on high speed country roads. We need to have a strong, limited access route between the two centres with key intersections where local people can get on and off efficiently and effectively.”


Mr Kirby said uncertainty was one of the key concerns confronting the community, but added that council did not have a closed mind as to any particular option.


“It’s fair to say that council has been talking to the community and getting feedback and modifying its position accordingly,” he said.