First set of traffic lights planned for Far North

Paihia's Marsden Rd pedestrian crossing works well when contractors with stop/go signs control the flow of cars and pedestrians - but on other days it leads to congestion and frustration.

A pedestrian crossing controlled by the Far North's first set of traffic lights is likely to be installed on Paihia's Marsden Rd to ease congestion and improve safety.

Every summer a near-constant stream of pedestrians using the crossing between the wharf and Williams Rd has causes hold-ups and sometimes frustration for motorists trying to get through central Paihia. Close calls have resulted from drivers failing to stop.

In previous years the problem was solved by volunteers using "lollipop signs" to make sure cars and pedestrians could take turns, but new health and safety legislation put an end to that. As a result congestion has increased this summer.

On the busiest cruise ship days, such as during the visit of Ovation of the Seas, Far North Holdings pays contractors to direct traffic at the crossing.

Public concern sparked the NZ Transport Agency to come up with a proposal for a "puffin" crossing with traffic lights and sensors to detect when pedestrians are waiting and crossing.

The agency presented its proposal at a public meeting in Paihia War Memorial Hall on Wednesday but, due to a council mix-up in the advertised start time, most people turned up four hours early.

Paihia's representative on the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board, Belinda Ward, said about 35 people attended at 10am, including council staff and councillor Ann Court, for a "positive and constructive" meeting. Council staff took notes to pass on to NZTA representatives who arrived at 2pm.

Mrs Ward said concerns included a lack of consultation and information, which they were told was due to the proposal being rushed through to meet a funding deadline.

Residents also wanted assurances that barriers erected on either side of the road to funnel pedestrians to the crossing would be "aesthetically pleasing" and fit in with community efforts to beautify the area.

If the proposal was accepted the crossing would be installed after Easter to avoid disruption during the peak tourist season. The costs would be met by the NZTA, not ratepayers.

It would not proceed if the community didn't want it, Mrs Ward said.

"We do have a problem and it's not just on cruise ship days. It's the summer holidays, especially around New Year."

Acting Northland highway manager Mieszko Iwaskow said NZTA was working to provide a better balance between pedestrian safety and traffic flow, in response to growing numbers of tourists entering Paihia from boats and cruise ships.

The proposed puffin crossing made use of technology which had proved highly effective in the UK in the past 10 years but was relatively new to New Zealand. The green crossing light was triggers only when someone was waiting to cross, he said.

If the project goes ahead it will be the first set of traffic lights in the Far North and the only one north of Whangarei.

Marsden Rd is the responsibility of NZTA, not the Far North District Council, because it is a state highway. The name 'puffin crossing' comes from 'pedestrian user-friendly intelligent'.