30 June 2010

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Wednesday 30 June 2010

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Countdown looking for site in Richmond

Shame on red light runners It seems the “take another look at intersections� campaign has been ignored by Tasman motorists. A local survey warns our intersections are indiscriminate firing ranges where we are all at risk of getting hit in the crossfire. Marg Parfitt, project manager for Road Safe's intersection observation programme which concluded in Nelson and Tasman districts on Friday, says, "At worst, our spotters noticed up to 60 drivers an hour going through red lights and orange lights when they had time to stop." She said the intersection of Gladstone Road and Queen Street in Richmond is a particularly bad scene where many drivers would rather take their, and other driv-

ers', chances than wait for the next green light. "I'm staggered by the number of reminder letters we've had to send out to motorists. These haven't all been processed yet but as an example 33 reminders were generated within one hour at the corner of Cambridge and Oxford streets. That's a compulsory stop; there is a playground and schools in that area and motorists aren't coming to a complete halt before proceeding," says Marg. The two staff recruited to observe and document irresponsible driving habits focused on intersections with known road crash histories. "These people weren't pedantic but were instructed to document obvious offences - so the numbers of letters could have been that much

higher," says Marg. "This programme wasn't about issuing notices but was all about reminding motorists of their responsibilities with regard to intersections, which are a major problem. As can be seen from the number of offences, so many of our drivers have still got a lot to learn." The campaign was an initiative among several groups, including Road Safe Nelson Bays, Police, ACC, Automobile Association, NZ Transport Authority and cycling and walking advocates. Marg says ratepayers need not worry about the campaign costs which were met by funds from NZ Transport Agency paid to local councils. Pictured - an observer at corner of Cambridge & Oxford streets

campaign which has been extremely popular and beneficial Progressive Enterprises' conclu- to local producers and consion that Richmond still has room sumers." Gary says Progresfor another major supermarket sive has not discussed its intenhas perplexed Richmond tions for Richmond with him. freshchoice owner Gary Progressive has had its Countdown feelers in Richmond for Watson. "While you would naturally ex- about five years and among the pect me to say we don't need possible sites are a vacant secanother supermarket in town, tion adjacent to Richmond Mall that really is my main carpark and the honest opinion. I Richmond West develbelieve the Richopment area in lower mond-Waimea Queen Street. Scott Gibdistrict is well bons of Gibbons Holdserved by the two ings confirmed Promajor supermargressive has shown inkets (freshchoice terest in his company's and Pak'n Save, block, between Talbot both within Rich- freshchoice and Queen streets, but mond Mall) and Richmond owner says he has not had any are more than ca- Gary Watson further advanced dispable of easily believes a third cussions with Progrescoping with any major supermarket sive in recent times. increase in con- in town would be It is understood issues overkill sumer demand in the foresee- with regard to council zoning able future," says Gary. and likely commercial and resiAustralian-based Progressive dential land use of Richmond Enterprises has intensified its West development is stalling search in Richmond for a suit- interest in that periphery locaable site for the next link in the tion. Countdown store chain, of Progressive media relations which it is owner. manager Penny Newbigin While freshchoice also comes told Waimea Weekly, "Our under the Progressive umbrella, feasibility study said yes, Gary says, "freshchoice Rich- there is a place for us in the mond is locally owned and op- Richmond market and we are erated and we run a completely actively looking for a suitseparate marketing programme, able site." which includes our Go Local


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