Lights go on for Powderham Pedestrians

Crossing the busy Powderham Street is about to become safer with the switching on of the new signalised pedestrian crossing.

NZTA in collaboration with the Council has moved the crossing near Robe Street further west to outside the New Plymouth Courthouse, and installed traffic lights to stop vehicles when pedestrians use it. The lights will begin operating on Monday or Tuesday next week.

This project follows the installation of a similar crossing on Devon Street West outside Devon Intermediate.

NPDC Let’s Go Project Manager Carl Whittleston says the new Powderham Street crossing will benefit drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

“We expect there will be fewer nose to tail vehicle crashes on this block of Powderham Street as the traffic lights will signal clearly what is happening ahead,” he says.

“Pedestrians will also be safer as it is no longer considered best practice to have an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing over two lanes of traffic that are travelling in the same direction.

“As part of the redevelopment work we also built a continuous cycle lane along the south side of the road, whereas previously it stopped before Robe Street.”

The operation of the new signals will be monitored to ensure there is a good balance between pedestrian use and traffic flow.

As both the Devon and Powderham crossings are on state highways, the redevelopments are fully funded by the NZ Transport Agency as part of NPDC’s Let’s Go programme to improve the safety of pedestrians, drivers and cyclists.