The Northern Express Herald

NZ Transport Agency to install traffic lights at Raumanga crossing after crashes

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says it has found the most ideal solution for a problem crossing in Whangārei where pedestrians have been hit. Photo / Brodie Stone

Traffic lights will be installed at a Whangārei crossing on State Highway 1 notorious for pedestrians being struck by vehicles.

The Raumanga community recently advocated for safety improvements at the crossing, outside the Ōtaika shops, after three people were hit this year.

The accidents followed past incidents, such as in 2016 when a 10-year-old was hit by a vehicle, and in 2013, when an 8-year-old was struck.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) regional manager of infrastructure delivery Stephen Collett confirmed traffic lights were the preferred option after community consultation.

The lights will stop traffic at the crossing, between Mt Pleasant Rd and Ōtaika Rd intersections, to allow pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross.

Though in the early planning stages, indicative timing suggested the traffic signals would be installed within 18 months.

Among the pedestrians struck this year was Kara Shortland. He was injured in March while using the crossing on his way to work.

Shortland was thrown 8m. He suffered three broken ribs, facial lacerations, a concussion, a broken thumb and other cuts to his body.

The Raumanga resident had earlier told the Northern Advocate he feared for the safety of others who used the crossing daily.

Shortland worried while the crossing was appropriate for the medium to long term, there could still be incidents up until the lights are installed.

“It’s simply illusionary to keep the people happy, like they did 10 years back ... until someone of influential importance gets hurt at Ōtaika’s crossing.”

Kara Shortland after he was hit while using the Raumanga crossing.

AA Northland District Council chairwoman Tracey Rissetto said the crossing had a history of incidents.

Figures showed it had been a problem spot for many years, she said.

“People shouldn’t be risking their lives to get a loaf of bread from the supermarket or to go to the pharmacy.

“Having an uncontrolled crossing on the country’s main highway between a major housing area and these shops was asking for trouble.”

Rissetto said safety outweighed potential disruption to traffic flow on SH1.

“The community have done a great job of raising their concerns, and politicians with officials have come to the party.

“I’m optimistic this new crossing will have a big impact on safety at Ōtaika.”

Residents organised a protest at the crossing in July, which was attended by then Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo, several Whangārei District Council councillors and Green MP Hūhana Lyndon. They rallied for safety improvements.

Cocurullo told the Northern Advocate this week the site had been on NZTA and Whangārei District Council’s radar for a long time.

“Because [of] the amount of accidents that happened and the amount of people who’ve got hurt over the years,” he said.

While mayor, council had put everything in place to make sure the lights would be ready to go as soon as they were put up, including calling Northpower to organise a connection, Cocurullo said.

Kara Shortland [second from left] was hit by a car earlier in the year at a notorious crossing outside the Ōtaika Shopping Centre. In July, a protest was organised to call for safety improvements. Photo / Brodie Stone

“So that when NZTA flipped the switch, it was ready to go.”

Cocurullo said the issue had been exacerbated by an increase in traffic.

He described the traffic lights as a “really great” outcome.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.