A council-commissioned safety assessment deemed the road situation in Links Ave unsafe for young people. Photo /NZME
A five-week trial limiting through traffic in Mount Maunganui's Links Avenue will begin on November 15.
Tauranga City Council said a temporary cul-de-sac will be in place stopping general traffic on the road from travelling to and from town.
Tauranga City Commissioner Anne Tolley said the need to prioritise children's
safety was paramount, but accepted that the trial would meet some opposition.
"We understand this is a big change to how people use Links Ave and for some users, travel time may increase.
"We believe those extra minutes will help keep our kids safe and we hope people can agree that is a worthwhile investment", she said.
Following community feedback on safety concerns, a council-commissioned safety assessment deemed the road situation in Links Ave unsafe for young people. The review identified a cul-de-sac as a viable option to measurably improve safety, by lowering speed and reducing the volume of traffic by 75 per cent.
The report's findings were presented to the council in June, and the commissioners instructed staff to undertake further community and stakeholder consultation on the cul-de-sac solution.
This has been met with varying reactions, leaving the council to decide on a way forward.
Tolley said the community deserved a solution.
"We can't afford to delay action any further.
