Huge Negative Impact!
I was surprised and frankly very saddened to read that Council is considering removal of 27 of the 38 historic Plane trees that line both sides of Oxford Street (Levin Chronicle 6 April). I revisited this today as it's been on my mind since then...I grew up with these trees and I feel that their removal would have a hugely negative impact on the image, personality and character of our little country town. I note that the required regular pruning was discontinued in 1993...why? are the trees to blame now?
A landscape and visual effects assessment was prepared for the District Council by Beca Ltd in May 2022. I urge anyone who cares to read this (horowhenua.govt.nz/planetrees)..at least their recommendations at the end. Guess what? Submissions close at 4.45pm tomorrow 2 May!
What can be done at this late stage given such short notice?
Driven On The Akatarawa Rd Lately?
If so, its good to know you are still alive and reading this.
We have a function to go to over Christmas up that way and having heard a few hairy stories about the road, I went up there on Thursday to check it out. The road's ok, narrow and winding, but not much worse than a Wellington hill suburb. What was pretty scary was the behavior of other drivers. Three vehicles heading the other way at speed would have crashed into me if I hadn't been pulled off the road. I had pulled in to check the address when a truck came flying past, taking up all of the narrow road at speed. There is no way the driver would have been able to stop had they come around the corner immediately in front of me. The other two drivers came hurtling past as I had turned in to turn around and come back down the hill. They were also driving at speed and taking up most of the road. Coming back down I passed another car coming up and estimate that the safe speed to pass another car was about 30-35 kms.p.h. So, now we're thinking, do we go to the function or not.? Feels a bit like we're taking our life in our hands going up there. Drivers appear to be overconfident, and they are courting serious injury.
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