A grey spot at a grey church?

Is Martinborough harbouring a road traffic accident “grey” spot – just beside a church already closed for worship by its owners as an earthquake risk?

 The “Stop” signed Princess St/Kitchener St (State Highway 53) intersection is reportedly the worst accident location currently in the Wairarapa Valley area, according to statistics from Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency released “exclusively” to the Times Age newspaper under the Official Information Act.

A total 10 crashes have been recorded at the intersection in the past 12 years, eight of them since 2019. One caused serious injury and a helicopter trip to hospital for one of the three people  involved.

Four other crashes caused minor injuries, while five were non-injury accidents.

As there have been no fatal accidents so far, Waka Kotahi does not designate the intersection as an accident “black spot.” 

SWDC is likely reviewing the scene, signage and speed limits involved.

Hinekura Road reopening highlight of April

By Councillor Aidan Ellims

It has been a busy month so far with the highlight being the re-opening of the Hinekura Road. On Thursday, 18 April, Hinekura residents, Brownell Contractors, council staff and elected members all celebrated this event out at the hall. 

Residents acknowledged the work and hours the contractors had put into getting the road  reopened which occurred under budget and within the timeframe set in the tender. We also learnt that the NZ Transport Agency funded 71 percent of the rebuild, which is a great result for ratepayers.

Councillors acknowledged the huge impact the closure had had on the residents of Hinekura which resulted in families renting houses in Martinborough for 3 months so that children could continue attending school, alongside the impact and extra costs on businesses; ie farming, fishing and tourism, as well as the welfare/wellbeing issues bought on by the extended isolation from their Martinborough community. We are all hoping that this solution and the work that has been completed lasts for a long time now.

Over the last month, council has been consulting on the Enhanced Annual Plan and I hope as many folks as possible have provided a submission on the three questions we have asked in the consultation document. If this copy of The Martinborough Star is published before 5 May and you haven’t submitted, please do so. This is your opportunity to have an imput into council decisions for the coming year. … Continue Reading