Dannevirke High St Impresses

A fact finding visit to Dannevirke High St last week has impressed members of the Taihape Community Board and Rangitikei District Council.

Two Rangitikei councillors, who are also community board members, and the council’s roading and assets managers were among the group.

Taihape main street is also due for refurbishment and the information gained by the Dannevirke visit was an important first step in the process, community board chairman Richard Aslett said.

The visitors had discussions with the Dannevirke High St Refurbishment project team, Tararua council staff, mayor Maureen Reynolds and community board members followed by a tour of High St.

Of particular interest was the Tararua consultation process and the council’s efforts to get ‘buy in’ from the public.

Like the Dannevirke High St Taihape has pedestrian safety issues involving traffic flow associated with a long, narrow thoroughfare which is a state highway. Taihape has the highest ratio of mobility scooters in the country making access a very significant issue, Mr Aslett said.

The newly levelled and widened High St impressed the visitors when they went ‘walkabout’ to view the street design and to meet retailers.

Tararua mayor Maureen Reynolds welcomed the visit saying the timing was a “wise move.”

“It allowed a firsthand look at the project, an understanding of some of the pitfalls and how the council has handled the process,” she said.

Rangitikei district councillor and Taihape community board member Jan Byford said that Dannevirke could be very proud of its achievement.

“Yes, I understand that the process is difficult but I am certain the result will bring great civic pride,” she said as nearby jack hammers temporarily drowned out the conversation.