Work begins to improve mobility access in CBDs

recommendations aimed at making Waipa's CBD areas more accessible.

Contractors last week installed a ramp at the entrance to the Council's Cambridge Office on Wilson Street, just one of 90 recommendations following an audit undertaken in partnership with CCS Disability Action. Modifications were also made to original plans for the Kihikihi upgrade to ensure increased accessibility was a feature in the new design.

The council's Service Delivery Committee this month gave the green light to a three year work programme which will see a number of changes rolled out across the district.

These will include the painting of one metre wide blue strips on mobility parks to make them more visible, installing kerb ramps to make footpaths more user friendly for wheelchair and mobility scooter users and introducing refuge islands at some crossings with high pedestrian use.

The 90 recommendations come out of a 117-page audit report on mobility spaces and access routes to - and through - the CBD areas of Cambridge, Kihikihi, Leamington, Pirongia and Te Awamutu with an emphasis on disabled and elderly residents. The changes are estimated to cost about $610,000.

Road Corridor Manager Dawn Inglis said the vast majority of recommendations had been made following consultation with the community and could be readily worked through as part of the council's maintenance programmes.

The next step would be to amend policies where needed to give effect to some of the recommendations and to liaise with the New Zealand Transport Agency where improvements could be made on their network.

While some of the recommendations will need further investigation there are a number that we can give effect to this year, said Ms Inglis.

Those that cannot be done straight away will be prioritised and carried out as funding allows, she said.

We thank everyone who took part in the process for their assistance.

CCS Disability Action spokesperson Gerri Pomeroy said Waipa was one of the first councils that had actioned what CCS had been advocating for .

We realise there are some things that can't be fixed immediately but it is great to see the council is willing to take our recommendations on board and make a difference, she said.

The full audit report can be downloaded by clicking here.

ENDS

For further information contact

Lisa Nairne

Senior Communications Advisor

Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760

Email: lisa.nairne@waipadc.govt.nz