Seddon Street stark

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 14, 4 September 1984, Page 6

Seddon Street stark

Raetihi 's Seddon Street is again coming in for the attention of landscapers but this time a more functional solution which would preserve the width and character of the street is proposed. During the term of the previous council it had been proposed that roundabouts and a median strip be placed along the street at the Ward and also the Duncan Street intersections. At this time lines were painted as road markings at these intersections to assess public reaction. However, it became apparent that the majority of residents and ratepayers were against these 'helicopter pads'. It was also felt that they changed the use and character of Seddon's wide street. "The council had to back off" said Mayor Workman. The proposal that was put forward during a recent meeting of the Raetihi Boroiigh Council recommended the planting of flowers and shrubs in garden

plots at both ends of the street in place of one angled parking space at each corner. One of the advantages of these garden plots would be improved visibility by preventing vehicles, large ones in particular, parking too close to the corners. Visually it would create an enclosed 'mall effect' without in fact restricting vehicular traffic into and through Seddon Street. The proposal was that each garden plot woitld be slightly raised and surrounded by a low wall of bricks and concrete. There was some discussion as to whether such a flower bed could be built on top ofthe existing asphalt or whether this would have to be removed first in order to get adequate sub soil drainage. In recommending this proposal Mayor Workman (who has lived in Raetihi all his life) said that: Seddon Street has been "too stark and too dreary for too long. " Council referred the proposal back to the Works Committee for detailed costings.