Girl urges council to build refuge on Papamoa Beach Rd

Isla Ferns, 8, addressed a council meeting to ask for a pedestrian refuge on Papamoa Beach Rd. She was accompanied by her mother Kylee. Photo / George Novak

An 8-year-old Papamoa girl whose family finds it almost impossible to reach the beach safely has spurred civic officials into looking to build another pedestrian refuge in the middle of Papamoa Beach Rd.

Isla Ferns, of Simpson Rd, read out her letter to yesterday's meeting of the Transport Committee, saying it took forever for her family of five, their dog, and all their surf boards and boogie boards, to reach the beach.

''It's always busy, and down where we are it's almost impossible to get across safely,'' she said.

''Imagine all your family going to the beach and having to cross a main road - how would you feel. I think it is far too dangerous to have a busy road with no island.''

Councillor Leanne Brown said the council had looked at her letter and there was work going on. A lot of people had suggested that a refuge where Isla suggested was a good place.

''It looks like a real good possibility.''

Isla's mother, Kylee, said her daughter wrote the letter off her own bat and went around neighbours to get supporting signatures.

Papamoa Beach Rd's other refuge was near Taylor Reserve.