Roading options draw response

A MAJORITY of the 143 public submissions received by the Manawatu District Council on the strategic roading network in the vicinity of Bunnythorpe supported one of the two preferred route options listed.

Assets Group Manager, Richard Kirby, said 93 submitters agreed with the development of the roading network and had indicated a preference for one of the two options that would best meet the project’s objectives.

Of these, 65 supported the utilisation of a paper road (“Centre Road”) to provide a link between Waughs Road and Railway Road, while the remaining 28 favoured the construction and extension of Waughs Road to Railway Road.

Mr Kirby said 23 of the remaining submissions did not support any of the council’s plans for the area, while the remainder agreed with the implementation of a strategic network, but neither of the two preferred options.

“The response was pleasing and we had some good feedback,” said Mr Kirby, “but suffice to say, there’s a lot of contrary views out there.”

Most submissions were received from people living in the greater Bunnythorpe area and Feilding, as well as road users in Palmerston North.

Thirty-seven people want to present their submissions in person and will have a chance during the hearing sessions on Monday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 9. Council is likely to discuss a resolution on the findings at its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 17.

Mr Kirby said many of the submissions were detailed and considered and council would be reading through them and “weighing up what they say before making a final decision”.

“I think it’s comforting to know that 120 of the submissions agree with the roading network that council is trying to put in place. It gives a pretty good mandate that council is on the right track in finding a preferred route – though it’s not clearly defined what that route should be.”

He said when agreement was reached on the route, a programme covering its implementation would be worked out, addressing such issues as road designation, land acquisition and mitigating measures for property owners on the route.

“There is quite a lot of water to go under the bridge yet,” he said.