A busy central corridor in Edgecumbe is set for a major safety upgrade with exciting changes starting next week. 
Edgecumbe’s College Road is the latest neighbourhood to receive a Safer Travel Route as part of Whakatāne District Council’s Active Whakatāne programme.
Project Manager, Hardus Coetzee, says the Safer Travel Route will make it safer for people to walk, cycle or scooter in the neighbourhood while out and about for recreation, or when commuting to school.
“These improvements are fantastic for the Edgecumbe community,” says Hardus. “They’ll make it safer for tamariki / children to move around the neighbourhood, and for mobility scooter users and pedestrians to reach destinations like the Edgecumbe Library, College Road shops, and the nearby stopbank and playgrounds.”
The Active Whakatāne programme is all about making neighbourhoods an enjoyable and safe place for people to use active modes of travel.
“Getting people out and active has so many benefits including reducing greenhouse emissions and physical and mental health gains for individuals,” says Hardus.
Work on the project commences next week and includes an extension of the current shared use pathway outside Riverslea Mall to beyond Edgecumbe College, and four new raised crossings. The crossings will be located at the intersection of Rata Avenue and College Road, at Edgecumbe Primary and Edgecumbe College, and another placed between the two schools.
Work is expected to take four months to complete, weather dependent. During this time, roads will be under traffic management through all stages, with some possible closures to allow safe working conditions for contractors as well as affected residents. Access for residents will be maintained at all times and a school drop off and collection point will be allocated on the school side of College Road and clearly signposted. Residents are asked to put their bins out as usual, and contractors will ensure they are emptied. Mail and courier deliveries will not be affected.
“We’re very excited about this work which will make a huge difference to the safety of this neighbourhood,” says Hardus.
For more information on Active Whakatāne visit Whakatane.govt.nz/activewhakatane
