The major Gladstone Road-Queen Street intersection and the neighbouring driveways are a spiderweb of activity. With through traffic, traffic pulling off into businesses, cyclists, and pedestrians all vying for space. It has also been the scene of at least one recent near-miss and one pedestrian injury.
“I was pushing my wife in her wheelchair when I heard brakes screeching and turned to see a car a metre from us,” says Mike Rodwell.
The car was turning left into Gladstone Road from Queen Street and Mike had moved out onto the intersection. He headed out as per the beeps and the flashing green man cross signal.
“It’s always a bit nerve-wracking having to cross at the lights although most drivers are careful,” says Mike.
He’s decided to be proactive since the incident and is helping motorists to see him and his wife who has dementia. For their regular outings up to Richmond, he’s now taken to wearing a high visibility vest.
Another pedestrian was struck by a car as he walked along the footpath near the McDonalds drive-through and sustained a broken hip.
The intersection is on Tasman District Council’s radar and plans are in the pipeline to assist all users of the intersection.
“We have two solutions that are part of the development of Richmond west area,” says Jamie McPherson, Tasman District Council.
One of TDC’s solutions is scheduled to take place next month in the form of the Richmond Bus Loop. This will offer a safer option for all pedestrians but especially the residents of Oakwood’s Retirement Village. They will be able to board the fully accessible bus, wheelchairs included and bypass having to cross the major intersection.
Another solution is a little further down the track and involves a new pedestrian corridor with access onto Gladstone Road. The TDC has bought a piece of land that follows the path of the Poutama drain and exits near the Jubilee Park tennis courts.