Blackspot: Corner Thomas and Gordonton Roads
An update on the blackspot on the corner of Thomas and Gordonton Roads:
Work to further improve safety at the Thomas Rd/Gordonton Rd intersection has been fast-tracked by Hamilton City Council in preparation for the installation of traffic signals at the intersection.
Cr Dave Macpherson, Chair of the Council’s Growth and Infrastructure Committee, says after the tragic event on 20 July, where a young man lost his life, it has further highlighted the risks are too high if people make a mistake.
“We know this is a busy intersection and the Council has been working on making it safer and to date has implemented a series of safety measures.
“There are already electronic 60km/h speed signs which are activated when vehicles are turning in the intersection, and a large number of traffic cones and other warning devices on approach to all legs of the intersection. However, these have now been supplemented with the installation of two Variable Message Boards,” Cr Macpherson says.
Funding for a signalised intersection was approved in June during the Council’s 10-Year Plan process with construction scheduled to begin 1 October 2018. Completion is by December 2018.
Chris Allen, General Manager Development Group says site preparation work for the upgrade was due to start this September, the Council is now looking at bringing this forward by one month.
“Preparation work will require the Council to introduce a Traffic Management Plan which will provide an immediate temporary reduction in the speed limit and provide safer road conditions for road users in the area.
“The speed limit will be reduced to 30km/h while the teams are out undertaking work near the road and a 60km/h speed limit will be set for afterhours.
“We understand for some people these changes have taken a long time, however it’s important to understand this is a transformational change to the intersection and we must get it right.
“Our transportation and development teams have been working hard on fast tracking this work since the beginning of the year, it takes time to confirm things like funding, land purchasing, design development, safety audits and understanding and implementing utilities services relocations.
“A signalised intersection is the preferred option rather than a roundabout as it offers improved safety via better intersection control and traffic flow management, it is safer for people on bikes and is quicker to implement,” says Mr Allen.
The Council wants to remind road users while work is happening there will be an increase in congestion on the network so extra care will be needed in the area, slow down, drive to the conditions and look twice for other road users.
Hearings will be this week for the Council’s proposal to improve safety along Gordonton Rd, between Wairere Dr and north of Thomas Rd, through a permanent reduction of the speed limit to 60km/h.
hamilton.govt.nz/gordontonrd
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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36.7% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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63.3% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Scam Alert: Bank cold calls
ASB is warning customers about reports of cold calls from scammers claiming to be from ASB. These scammers are trying to obtain personal information, including usernames, dates of birth, and verification codes sent to your mobile phone.
🛡️ The "Caller Check" Test
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you’re unsure, just ask them for a Caller Check. You will then be able to verify the call through the app.
Remember, banks will:
❌ Never ask for your banking passwords, PINs, or verification codes
❌ Never need to know your full credit card number – especially the CVC
❌ Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device
❌ Never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds.
If you have received a phone call and think your account has been compromised, call ASB on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or visit your local branch.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
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