Pair bring touch of beauty to roadworks

Floral sprays yesterday topped road cones in Carterton's Holloway St, where months of upgrade work is nearing an end.

Jeanine Gribbin, Carterton District Council events and projects co-ordinator, had completed the floral makeover of road cones outside the Carterton Events Centre and she and community development manager Lorraine Gittings were hoping the beautification would catch on.

One road worker said the effect was matrimonial and he thought "some poor bugger had got roped into getting married".

Mrs Gittings said beautifying the site had been inexpensive and easy to do and serves as an example for others.

"It's about creating a sense of place and beautifying with small touches. It doesn't have to be big or expensive or left up to the council.

"You can make anything beautiful and hopefully this will encourage people to do the same," she said.

Council chief executive Colin Wright said the $1.3 million upgrading of Holloway St had started in August and work was on target to end in March.

The sewer system and powerlines had been replaced early on in the redevelopment and public toilets and a bus stop opposite the Carterton District Library had been demolished.

A carpark had been cut down in size and surrounding areas landscaped and dubbed Library Square, Mr Wright said, and the road surface had been significantly lowered.

A large black base also had been built that will be topped with a wrought iron replica gaslight. The lamp standard will be electrical and features elements of spun aluminium and two teardrop lighting globes suspended from a wrought iron framework. Two smaller carriage lamp replica standards will be also be erected as part of the revamp in nearby Broadway.