Safety drives roundabout work

A record of almost 30 crashes in the past five years at Masterton's Chapel and Renall St roundabout is behind the New Zealand Transport Agency upgrade.

In letters and texts sent to the Times-Age, readers questioned why there was a need for the intersection improvements which started this month.

The upgrade will improve the existing pedestrian crossing points, realign the traffic islands to slow vehicles entering the intersection and add new road markings to help guide traffic through the intersection.

There will also be new raised pavement tiles installed to make it easier for visually impaired pedestrians to use the crossing safely.

New Zealand Transport Agency regional operations manager Mark Owen said the new safety features were expected to slow down drivers.

"There have been 27 crashes at this intersection over the past five years, many of which left people injured, including two people who were seriously injured. We simply need to make the intersection safer before more crashes happen," he said.

"Our crash investigations showed that speeds of vehicles through the intersection have contributed to these crashes."

Mr Owen said he understood work would cause some delays, but he believed it was a small price to prevent further trauma.

"We thank people for their patience, and encourage residents to leave an extra few minutes for travel. We know that delays are frustrating and will do our best to minimise them."

The upgrade was expected to cost $131,000.