Walkways by school likely to stay open

Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson said he had spoken to several locals concerned about the walkways. Photo / Ben Fraser

Public access to two walkways off Tumene Drive in the Rotorua suburb of Owhata is expected to remain following a Rotorua District Council strategy, policy and finance committee meeting yesterday.

The committee is recommending to the council earlier decisions aimed at ending access be rescinded.

Both walkways give access to Mokoia Intermediate School - one off Kirk Ln and the other off Westminster Drive. Public requests have been made to re-open them, following concern about pedestrians trampling private property to get around gates installed last year.

The committee would like to see the gate at the entrance to the Westminster Drive accessway remain in place but its opening and closing controlled by Mokoia Intermediate School to allow access around school hours.

Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson said he had spoken to several locals concerned about the walkways. "Clearly there's been something of a shift in opinion among many residents in favour of these accessways remaining open ... I'm comfortable that we're taking a pragmatic approach and doing the right thing for that community."

The committee's recommendations will go the next meeting of the full council for final ratification.