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‘Frustrating’: Safer Crossing Lights Delayed In South Wairarapa
The contractor installing pedestrian crossing lighting across South Wairarapa’s three towns is facing liquidation, forcing the council to find a new contractor.
South Wairarapa District Council confirmed this week that MMS Group had vacated the site in December, had not returned, and had told the council they had ceased trading.
An application to put MMS Group into liquidation was made to the High Court by a third party in September.
The application was heard by the High Court in November and the matter was due to be called on the Wellington Bankruptcy and Liquidation list next week.
South Wairarapa District Council said it would not be a creditor and that much of the work on the 16 pedestrian crossings was done.
Some final electrical work and four lights were yet to be completed in Greytown, a council spokesperson said.
“SWDC is working through the legal process to wrap up the contract while at the same time, sourcing another company to finish the project as soon as possible.
“This situation is beyond the control of SWDC, and it is disappointing and frustrating that there are delays to this project.”
Once the project is complete, all 16 pedestrian crossings across Martinborough, Featherston and Greytown will have standardised lighting to address concerns from the community about night-time safety around the town centres.
MMS Group could not be reached for comment.
MMS Group was awarded the tender for the pedestrian crossing work in July 2024.
A $500,000 budget was set aside in the council’s Enhanced Annual Plan, and the project was subsidised by the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
All lights would be compliant with the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve which was consulted throughout the planning process to ensure the lighting meets the needs of pedestrians and adhered to Dark Sky criteria.
-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Local Democracy Reporting
Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.
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