Parents of children attending Raglan Area School complained on Facebook that heavy road machinery was being parked on the footpath in Norrie Avenue. This forced school children to work on the roadway on this very busy road.
This came just after the Waikato Council had issued a media release ‘WATCH OUT KIDS ABOUT’ about the need to watch out for children at the school year.
We asked the Waikato Council about the situation. The Council’s response is included below. They have now instructed the contractor to put a temporary walking path in place where the footpath is unavailable. I would have thought that would have been standard in a Safety Management System for any roading project. Not sure about Mr Harty’s comment about poor weather delaying the project. Back in October 2014 the Council said that the Norrie Ave project, “will begin in mid-January 2015 with an expected completion 20 February 2015.” It did start in mid-January and the weather has been very good since then.
Our query to the Council:
A good point raised in this release.
On Facebook, Raglan parents say that Council’s contractor working in Norrie Ave, Raglan is forcing the school children to walk on the road.
Is this correct?
Parents are also asking why the Norrie Avenue road works are being carried out just when school starts?
What is the completion date?
Have Council’s contractors working near schools been sent this media release?
Tim Harty, General Manager Service Delivery advises:
Work on the Norrie Ave project began on the southern side (footpath side) to minimise inconvenience and the loss of the footpath, considering the return of school and the increase of foot traffic on Norrie Ave. There is still some work to be done on this side and a temporary walking path will be put in place where the footpath is unavailable.
Due to poor weather delaying the completion of work on James Street, the Norrie Ave start date was pushed back. This also meant further delays occurred over the Christmas/New Year period. The current expected completion date is 19 March 2015.
We remind everyone to please call Council on 0800 492 452 if you have any concerns around ongoing projects.