Travers took his petition to the Tauranga City Council City Delivery Committee meeting last week. <\/p>\n
He hoped the council would extend the footpath, fill the gap and create a continuous route along Carmichael Rd with access to the Gordon Carmichael Reserve and wetlands. <\/p>\n
The footpath leading to the Gordon Carmichael Reserve. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
\u201cIt just gives [residents] freedom of access without being forced to immediately cross the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some residents, including those at the country club, have to cross the road to access a footpath. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re talking about a significant number of people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the average age in the Bethlehem Country Club is 81.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the health of many country club residents meant having to cross the road to access a safe walkway was a challenge. <\/p>\n
He said more housing was being built at the country club, which would increase the population, and Carmichael Rd was a \u201crat run\u201d, especially at peak times and with nearby schools. <\/p>\n
Travers said the 218 signatories showed the number of people affected was significant. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf we want people to stay safe, we want people to stay healthy, we need to make sure that the footpath is available.\u201d<\/p>\n
He would be \u201csuper delighted\u201d if the petition succeeded.<\/p>\n
Club member Murray Watkins said he found it hard to walk on the grass as it was uneven and he\u2019d had both his hips and knees operated on. <\/p>\n
Bethlehem Country Club member Murray Watkins. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
He said it was a \u201cvery busy road\u201d and it was dangerous walking along the side of the road without the footpath, especially when the grass was wet and slippery.<\/p>\n
Watkins said he had lived there for six years and this was the third attempt by the club to get the footpath extension. <\/p>\n
Dave Randell said the problem inconvenienced many people, who would use an extended pavement often. <\/p>\n
Bethlehem Country Club member Dave Randell. Photo \/ Kelly O’Hara<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone said put a pedestrian crossing, but all that does is delay the traffic and cause more inconvenience.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said people using walkers or mobility scooters had to cross the road.<\/p>\n
Tauranga City Council transport strategy and assurance manager Karen Hay said the council had previously undertaken a high-level investigation into extending the footpath. <\/p>\n
She said there was pedestrian access from opposite 85 Bethlehem Rd to the footpath network. A short section of footpath from Charles Lever Drive provided bus-stop access and pedestrian refuge to connect with the footpath on the opposite side.<\/p>\n
Tauranga City Council transport strategy and assurance manager Karen Hay. Photo \/ John Borren<\/p>\n
The investigation found the missing links, about 110m towards the Carmichael Reserve crossing and 220m towards Bethlehem Rd, were constrained by overhead power lines, retaining structures and a transformer.<\/p>\n
This made construction significantly more complex than a standard footpath. <\/p>\n
She said a previous preliminary investigation estimated the cost of completing the missing footpath links at about $1.175 million. <\/p>\n
Hay said there was no project planned. Previous investigations found it would require significant works. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe council remains open to considering whether smaller or targeted improvements may be feasible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hay said the council acknowledged the safety and accessibility concerns raised. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe appreciate the concerns raised through the petition and will meet with representatives of the retirement village to better understand residents\u2019 accessibility needs and discuss the findings of previous investigations.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\n