Connecting Massey safely

The people of Massey have provided valuable feedback on how to safely connect their community.

After an extensive consultation exercise, which included a touch screen survey of Massey residents in a number of locations, a mandate has been put forward to address safety issues near the end of the North Western motorway.

The council has approved immediate action to block off access to the drain which runs beneath the motorway.

Transport strategy manager Kevin Wright says the 15% response rate to the survey showed it was an important issue for the Massey community.

There was support for a variety of solutions, including to further investigate options surrounding the building of a pedestrian bridge and road connection.

"A significant proportion of Massey residents want to see the idea of a safe motorway crossing further explored, but few were happy with the status quo.

Few want to see the continued practice that's taking place daily, which involves members of the community regularly crossing under the North Western Motorway via an underground culvert (a stormwater drain).

Cr Penny Hulse, chair of the City Development Committee, thanked the people of Massey for their valuable feedback.

"We are working with Transit NZ to take immediate steps to improve the safety of pedestrians, by ensuring the culvert is properly fenced and blocked off.

"We will continue to work with the community to develop a neighbourhood accessibility plan to improve access to the parks, shopping centre and community facilities, and to better link Massey residents with facilities in their community.

"We will talk with Transit NZ to provide a pedestrian bridge early (as they did for State Highway 20) so that there is good access connecting Massey residents and providing an alternative pedestrian link when roading works begin."

The council needs to consider funding through its Annual Plan and Long Term Council Community Plan process for its contribution to any pedestrian bridge or road connection.

There will be further opportunities for community input into the funding decision and final design of any future crossing.

ENDS

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