Making it safer for schoolchildren, cyclists, walkers and motorists is the focus of three road safety improvement projects by New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) due to start next week.

Two projects, between Bayly and Pioneer roads on Devon Street West/South Road, will result in greater safety for all users, particular school children, while intersection improvements will make it easier for ambulances to exit Lorna Street onto Devon Street West. 

NPDC Infrastructure Manager Rui Leitão says the Devon/South corridor is a key transport route that feeds into several schools and businesses as well as residential suburbs. 

“It’s a very busy route that has some difficult intersections, especially for young and vulnerable users, and our goal is to make everyone safer on this stretch of road,” he says.

“We’ve made some changes to our designs following feedback from the public and I want to thank everyone who took part in that.”

All three projects start during the last week of April and will take between four and seven weeks to finish, weather permitting.

The two projects between Bayly and Pioneer roads are fully funded by NZTA while the Lorna/Devon project has 51 per cent funding from NZTA and the balance funded NPDC.