Win for Whanganui business in parking rule changes

Wanganui Bedroom Specialists and Furniture One manager Fenton Pettigrew fought changes to parking on St Hill St.

Increased time limits in Victoria Ave and a reduced speed limit on the Whanganui River Rd are two of the major changes to Whanganui parking and speed rules.

But a Whanganui business remains concerned about parking provision in St Hill St as Whanganui District Council confirmed changes to it speed and parking bylaws.

Council are to turn angle parking on the St Hill St block between Guyton and Ingestre St into parallel parking when the Te Tuaiwi shared pathway is completed.

During public consultation Wanganui Bedroom Specialists and Furniture One manager Fenton Pettigrew argued the opening of the Ministry of Social Development building in the block was already affecting his business with customers unable to find nearby parks and the changes would only make it worse.

Mr Pettigrew collected a petition against the changes with more than 200 signatures.

In response council decided to reduce three parks near the store from a two hour limit to 30 minutes and to hold discussions with Work and Income New Zealand and Bedroom Specialists about providing more car parking.

But Mr Pettigrew said three 30 minute parks would not be enough and he was keen for further talks with council.

Other major changes to parking in Whanganui include an increase in time limit in Victoria Ave from 60 minutes to 90 minutes and a permit allowing tradespeople, sales representatives and delivery vehicles to park for short periods in metered spaces for an annual fee.

Changes are expected to occur early next year.

Speed limit changes

Meanwhile, a number of speed limit reductions will also come into effect early next year, including an 80km/h limit on the Whanganui River Rd.

Changes include:

•Reducing the speed limit at Ranana township from 100km/h to 50km/h
•Reducing the speed limit on the Whanganui River Rd from 100km/h to 80km/h
•Reducing the speed limit on Mowhanau Beach from 100km/h to 30km/h
•Reducing the speed limit at the Mowhanau Drive and Rapanui Rd intersection from 100km/h to 60km/h
•Reducing the speed limit on Mosston Rd, Montgomery Rd, Mill Rd and Sandcroft Drive from 70km/h to 60km/h
•Reducing the speed limit on Caversham Rd and the northern ends of Springvale Rd and Fox Rd from 70km/h to 50km/h