Hopeful Harbourview
By Chrys Ayley
Harbourview residents are hopeful that their campaign for a roundabout may be successful this year. Chairperson of the Harbourview Residents association Noeline Matthews says the last three years have been spent canvassing the council with submissions to its annual plan for a roundabout to be built at the junction of Viewmont Drive and Harbour View Road. Ms Matthews says the intersection is the scene of a lot of near misses but because there have been no accidents reported and no deaths it is not considered an urgent priority. This year the association has made a submission to the Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) and are hopeful plans for a roundabout could receive favourable consideration. The intersection is like a fork with poor visibility and it is not easy to change the contour of the road which leaves no alternatives, she says. Council has drawn up plans, one of which estimated the work to cost $100,000 and the association has reference the plan in its submission. A survey of local residents including those from Tirohanga indicated community support for the roundabout, she said. Councillor Max Shierlaw and the Central/West Community Committee supports the residents desire for a roundabout and says it is not a major roadwork, just a roundabout. Mr Shierlaw confirmed there had been a number of near misses at the junction but ?we?re not getting a huge amount of backing from council,? he said. He queries whether the yardstick of no reported accidents or deaths was an appropriate measure to judge if a roundabout is necessary.
