Whanganui council to trial roundabout on Guyton St and Victoria Ave

An impression of what the intersection of Victoria Ave and Guyton St could look like if a permanent roundabout was installed. Image / Stuart Munro

A roundabout will be trialled at the Guyton St and Victoria St intersection to favour pedestrians and help open up the fourth block of the avenue.

Mainstreet Whanganui have been calling for the current traffic lights to be replaced by a roundabout for some time for and have offered to pay for the $5000 trial.

Whanganui district councillors have approved the trial, which also has the backing of the Town Centre Regeneration Project.

Between 5000 and 8000 vehicles use the intersection each day with and at peak times a pedestrian crosses Guyton St every 15 seconds at the lights.

But with the trial roundabout, pedestrian crossings will be put in place on all four sides to allow foot traffic to regulate vehicle flow.

It was hoped not having traffic lights would make remove a barrier and bring more people into the fourth block.

If successful and it was decided to install a permanent roundabout and four raised crossings, it would cost council an estimated $450,000 and would not get NZ Transport Agency funding.

"A factor to consider is that the Guyton St link is currently an important route for the police, fire and ambulance services," council senior roading engineer Rui Leitao said.

It would also prevent heavy trucks turning right from any given direction but would allow them to pass straight through.

But Leitao said it the trial was probably the cheapest and easiest way to test the true impact of a installing a roundabout.

"There will be consequence because for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction and what we're going to find out is where do they go to," he said.

There were risk because "people don't by nature change as fast as the signage" but mitigation measures would be put in place to assist motorists and pedestrians.

Mainstreet Whanganui have long proposed a roundabout at the intersection of Guyton St and Victoria Ave. Photo Supplied

Councillors backed the trial.

Rob Vinsen said the issue had been around for 25 years and part of the original design of the CBD as to make it more pedestrian-friendly.

"It's about the ambiance of the CBD, slowing down the traffic and generally trying to create a village atmosphere," he said.

Mayor Hamish McDouall said with Mainstreet's offer to fund the trial, council should give it a go.

"There's really no other decision to be made. Let's see what the unintended consequences could be. They could be really positive."

Helen Craig said a permanent roundabout could be some time away, with planning and funding, but supported the trial.

"It'll be really great to see how the trial results come about. At least with a trial we'll get a better idea whether this is a goer or it's absolutely not a goer."