Work to finalise Gore’s Streets Alive initiatives, aimed at making the town’s streets safer, more accessible and more people-friendly, is continuing.

Gore district roading asset manager and project lead Peter Standring said the team has been working hard to line up the projects.

Community feedback is now being assessed and information about any roading network changes will be released in late February before trials begin in earnest in March 2021.

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“We are looking at trialling adjustments to a few key roads to calm traffic and improve safety for everyone.” 

“On some roads we will look to make crossing the traffic safer by introducing pavement marking and planters to narrow the travelling carriageway. This will not only reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians and cyclists but also lower the average traffic speeds.” 

“We’ll also be organising more creative interventions such as street art, a play trial area and pocket parks – spaces in urban areas where people can sit and relax, or children can enjoy an activity such as hopscotch,” Mr Standring said.  

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The Streets Alive trials to begin next year are based on six key themes suggested during a community feedback process this year. 

Mr Standring said adjustments would be made to the roading network aimed at improving quality of life and the success of the changes depended on community feedback. 

“The important word to remember here is `trial’. The initiatives are three-month trials. Community feedback will determine whether the initiatives become long-term,” Mr Standring said. 

The Gore District Council would also monitor the initiatives to measure how effective and efficient they were before any long-term change and investment decisions were made, he said.