By Sahra Kress
It is no secret that nearly everyone who lives in Raumati South has come to see this missing crossing for a main cycle path as a scandal over many years. Poplar Avenue funnels traffic off a motorway, past a school, and around a blind corner with an adjoining main road, and walkers and cyclists have been expected to cross at their own risk. This campaign took shape as a result of too many frustrated conversations- complaints, expression of shock and even outrage- and the need to take direct action where previous submissions and requests to council had been ineffective.
A petition, chalking, and rudimentary displays were reinforced by more conversations every time I crossed and met people attempting to do the same. Taking my three-year-old avid cyclist nephew on that lovely track and seeing this…
… only added determination to our efforts demanding action to make this crossing safe.
Not only have I had dozens of troubled conversations with concerned parents, cyclists, dog walkers, and motorists, but seeing that kindergarten children are taken to cross every week as well…
…made it clear just how many people used this (absent) crossing.
So, what a slog. And what a small satisfaction, to have council respond eventually, and to see this…
… as a first step towards a safe(r) crossing. Work in progress.
