Tots, elderly safer after firm fronts up with footpath

Among those trying out the new Hinau St footpath were (centre from left) Downer manager Chris Edsall, kohanga reo whanau member Lisa Reweti, Jason Sturzaker and Brendon Walker from Downer, and constables Vaughan Patching and Sumita Rhodes. Photo/Stuart Munro

Tots and the elderly were in danger on an industrial Wanganui street ... until infrastructure company Downer added a new footpath.

Police, staff and children from Te Heti Te Kohanga Reo and Downer staff celebrated the new path by walking out on it yesterday.

The kohanga has 74 children, with parents coming and going, whanau member Lisa Reweti said. There are 10 older people living in the Tangaroa Flats to the rear, and Training For You is aiming to hold classes in an adjoining building, bringing yet more people into that end of industrial Hinau St.

There was no footpath along the street and the verge was often soggy. Children and the elderly were avoiding it and venturing on to the road, near a sweeping S-bend used by trucks.

One older man said that he used to hold his breath whenever he stepped out on the road to take his daily walk.

Wanganui District Council had been approached about a footpath, but had funding issues, Mrs Reweti said.

Constable Sumita Rhodes said police considered a crash was a high possibility and so she prepared a report and approached Downer for help.

Wanganui/Rangitikei Downer manager Chris Edsall said the report was particularly good - "That's what really swayed us."

The company has committed to putting in 300 metres of footpath from the kohanga reo car park in Hinau St to Raupo St and up Raupo St to Puriri St.

The total cost will be $30,000 and the first 100m-plus is already down with the rest due to be finished by May.

Downer had about 100 staff working from its Wanganui office and it wanted to give something back, Mr Edsall said.

"It's about putting some money back into the community, especially for the safety of children."