Whanganui District Council mulls Fitzherbert Ave fix after crashes

Measures to make the Totara St and Fitzherbert Ave bend safer are being investigated. Photo/ Stuart Munro

Whanganui's authorities are working on a short-term solution to reduce the crash risk on the Totara St/Fitzherbert Ave bend.

A change in road layout that would permanently fix the problem remains up in the air.

The problem corner is in the spotlight again after a car smashed through three fences, a parked caravan and a garage after missing the bend on Monday.

For Totara St resident Sandra Watson it is the fourth time in a year her fence has been taken out by a car and the 10th since she has lived in the street.

Nearby residents fear it is only a matter of time before a pedestrian is killed.

Since Monday's crash, Whanganui District Council has been re-assessing what short-term crash reduction measures it can put in place.

"We can put advanced signs saying 'slippery when wet' and things like that," council senior road engineer Rui Leitao said.

"The question is people might not see it. It might reduce crashes by 10 per cent, 20 per cent, but that's not fixing the problem.

"It's a 50km/h zone and the road is suitable for 50km/h. It's fit for purpose. We can't control when drivers choose not to drive to the conditions."

Senior Sergeant Shayne Wainhouse said Whanganui police were reviewing incidents in which vehicles have collided with the fence at 56 Fitzherbert Ave.

"Preliminary findings indicate that speed and wet road conditions have been contributing factors in several of the crashes," he said.

"Police will be discussing the issue with Whanganui District Council to establish whether any road modification would reduce these types of incidents."

Meanwhile, Mr Leitao said a planned extension of Fitzherbert Ave through to Mosston Rd would create a permanent fix as it would become the main thoroughfare for traffic coming from Castlecliff.

"By doing that we remove the bulk of the traffic that uses Totara St," he said.

It would also mean the problem corner would be replaced with a T-intersection and a stop sign.

"That will deal with the problem once and for all."

The council already owns the land for the extension and its current long-term plan has set aside $2.2million for it to be done in the coming year.

It cannot confirm it will be included in the new 2018-2028 long-term plan, which is being drafted.

The council and police will work with the Whanganui Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP) group to look at a combination of engineering, enforcement and education options.

Police remind motorists to drive to the conditions and reduce speed accordingly.