Push for zebra crossing

Photo/File

Wanganui District Councillor Rob Vinsen has gathered more than 200 signatures in support of a pedestrian crossing over Taupo Quay near Drews Ave.

Mr Vinsen has been campaigning for a zebra crossing at the intersection instead of the raised intersection planned by council.

He collected the signatures at the Riverside Market on Saturday and said people raised another issue about the development of the intersection.

"That is the danger to cyclists in having to swing into the traffic lane to skirt around the protruding kerbs. It looks to me that these kerbs have come out too far into the carriageway and they need to be revisited," he said.

Mr Vinsen rubbished his fellow councillor Ray Stevens' comments in Saturday's Chronicle, which said a zebra crossing would not be the safest option.

"Ray has simply parroted the views of council's senior roading engineer, Rui Leatao," Mr Vinsen said.

He held concerns over having several users on the one raised intersection including cars, trucks, cyclists, pedestrians and mobility scooters.

"Rui says that by all being mixed together they take more care and therefore it is safer. I say the theory is bunkum. There have been four deaths in Wellington's Manners Mall since they allowed buses to share the space with pedestrians."

What was being planned at Taupo Quay would mean there would be four ways of entry to the single platform that would cover the whole intersection, he said.

"What I am seeking is a repeat of the Victoria Ave system in Taupo Quay. We have the option to get it right now without the additional costs of retro-fitting - and I hope that my council colleagues will support pausing the work and revisiting the options."