Huge support for roundabout
Plans to install a roundabout at the intersection of SH1 and Victoria Street in Cambridge have been given the green light from the community.
Last month Waipa District Council released plans to fast-track work and install a roundabout by the St Andrew's Anglican Church. It also outlined plans to put a planted median strip between Victoria Street and Queen St, sever Lake Street as a through road and provide more parking near Lake Te Ko Utu.
Group manager service delivery Barry Bergin said with one or two exceptions feedback had been positive.
People are very keen to see safety at that intersection improved so there's lots of support for the roundabout. People have also welcomed the landscaped median strip from Victoria Street to Queen St because it will provide safer pedestrian access across the road and a much more attractive entrance to Cambridge, he said.
One or two businesses were concerned there would be no right hand turn access off Victoria Street.
But given there will be two roundabouts at either end, we don't believe that will be a major issue. It will certainly be a lot safer.
Severing Lake Street is critical to installing the roundabout and Bergin acknowledged the proposal had initially caused some concern. Currently some people use Lake Street as a short-cut to avoid using the existing intersection.
With the roundabout in place, that short-cut won't be needed so local residents are pretty happy about that. The additional 15 or so carparks near Lake Te Ko Utu have certainly been welcomed.
The Council had made one significant change to its original proposal. It now intends creating a gap in the existing solid median strip on Queen St to allow traffic to turn right into Lake Street.
We think that makes sense and can be accommodated.
Work will begin early next year and is expected to take two to three months. Most of the project is being funded by the NZ Transport Agency and will cost around $2 million. Waipa District Council will pick up costs for landscaping and other improvements.
All media enquiries, contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of council) 027 507 7599