Pedestrian refuges planned for SH6

Road bosses will move forward with two $25,000 pedestrian refuge in Renwick and Rai Valley after delays caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.

The pedestrian refuge is especially important in Renwick, where crash statistics are particularly dire.

Waka Kotahi system manager Top of the South Andrew James says the Rai Valley pedestrian refuge received general community and business support.

“However, consultation in Renwick was interrupted due to the Covid-19 Lockdown and some people were unhappy with the location, due to the loss of two car parks,” says Andrew.

The island will be installed between Phoenix Café and Bar and the Woodbourne Tavern, on State Highway 6.

“On balance, having gone back and talked to people again this year, many in Renwick agreed this was the spot where people would cross SH6 whether there was a pedestrian refuge there or not, so we will go ahead with that installation, so that we can improve safety for residents and visitors,” Andrew says.

Traffic crash statistics show 29 crashes within 100 metres of the Renwick site in the past 20 years, one of which was considered serious, so it is considered an urgent addition for safety.

The Rai Valley pedestrian refuge site is planned for outside the Brick Oven Café & Takeaways.