School Principal Heath Chittenden and fencing contractor discuss the new fence

School Fence goes in

The new fence along the boundary of Ashhurst School and Salisbury Street has been completed. This work was considered a very high priority for the safety of children at the school.

As a part of the school fence work several large gum trees were removed from within the school ground. These trees were dying and were considered dangerous due to the risk of these falling within the school grounds or onto Salisbury Street.

Ashhurst bypass

The NZ Transport Agency has made a decision to not proceed with the temporary bypass. This is for the following reasons:

• Delivery of the temporary bypass has become more complex than when initially announced;
• The bypass is expected to take at least 18-24 months to deliver, accounting for resource consents, property acquisition, detailed design, and construction;
• There are risks associated with consenting and particularly property acquisition that could result in further delays and our ability to deliver, reducing the lifetime/availability of the proposed bypass.
• With the new SH3 to replace the closed Manawatū Gorge expected to be completed in 2024, the bypass would have a relatively short lifespan.
• The bypass would have to be removed once the new highway was opened.

What's next

The next phase of works will see the implementation of the high priority works. These works include:

• Wyndham Street pavement upgrade and widening – this has just begun
• Closure of Mulgrave Street at Salisbury St – this will be completed before Christmas
• Realign Hillary Crescent/Mulgrave Street Intersection – final design is underway and works will commence after Christmas.

Following the completion of the next phase of works, Ashhurst’s roundabout will be replaced with traffic signals early next year. This work is expected to be completed by Easter.

In the meantime, detailed design will progress on the remainder of the package.

Consultation Days

We are holding a public information sessions on the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway this week in Ashhurst at the Ashhurst Village Valley Centre from 4.00pm-7.30pm on 15th November.

In this session we will also provide a more detailed update on the mitigation package. This will include more detail on the realignment of Hillary Crescent/Mulgrave Street and the closure of Mulgrave Street at Salisbury Street. We will also provide a programme for the next stage of works so you can understand when the works will be happening near you.

More information

For more information on Ashhurst traffic mitigation, contact us at ashhurst@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/ashhurst