Footpaths extended

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 675, 25 February 1997, Page 9

Footpaths extended

Residents of Ohakune' s Miro Street will be well pleased with their new concrete footpath which replaces the rough, unformed gravel-strewn track they have had to negotiate previously. The new 329m long footpath between Wye and Shannon Streets was completed last week by Rangitikei Contracts Limited as part of a $40,000 contract to replace a total of 1.1km length of footpath in both Raetihi and Ohakune. In the three weeks they have been in the Waimarino, the 4-man team have used a total of 100 cubic metres of concrete in Ranfurly Terrace and King Street, Raetihi, and on this section of Miro Street. With the longer lengths of footpath involved in Raetihi the team spent the greater amount of their time over there and were greatly impressed with the friendliness and hospitality of the locals. They spoke of the 'perks' such as trout, scones, sandwiches,

beer and other unsolicited gifts which were very welcome during the long hot dusty days in Raetihi. They spent much less time in Ohakune and had fewer opportunities to meet the locals in Miro Street but their work will have been appreciated by the residents - particularly the elderly and those with young children and pushchairs - who will now negotiate their way tcrand from home in greater safety and comfort. One commonly expressed comment was "but why on this side of the road and not on the other where the street lights are?" No explanation could be offered but it was pointed out to them that, of all three major north-south streets in Ohakune, only Arawa Street has lights which are of any help to pedestrians at night. Both Goldfinch Street and Miro Streets have lights on the opposite side of the road from the footpath.