Mike Claridge (pictured here on the left with Councillor Hautapu Baker) said the roundabout and raised crossings have been amazing for him. Photo supplied.
A Welcome Bay resident says recent road safety improvements are ‘amazing’ for his mobility.
Mike Claridge, who uses a wheelchair to move around, said the safety improvements along Waitaha Rd mean he can now get out and about and visit his local shops, something that used to be extremely
difficult to do.
“The roundabout has been amazing for me. Before, I was unable to go anywhere and basically getting to the shops was hard. But not anymore. For someone in a wheelchair who can’t walk, I think it’s one of the best things to happen in our community,” Claridge said.
The safety improvements include a new roundabout, two new raised pedestrian crossings and a 3-metre-wide shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. The crossing at the Welcome Bay Village shops was also upgraded to a raised pedestrian crossing.
Welcome Bay councillor Hautapu Baker said the improvements were necessary because Welcome Bay Rd was the main arterial route to and from the suburb, and the intersection had no safe crossing points for people walking or cycling.
