The intersection outside Kuripuni shopping precinct, known as Kuripuni village, could be reconfigured by removing the right hand turn into Waltons avenue. Photo: SUE TEODORO / LDR
Masterton businesses are struggling to predict the impact of a traffic change at one of the town's most popular shopping precincts.
Masterton District Council agreed at its meeting on Wednesday to move forward with the recommendation, designed to simplify traffic flow at the southern end of Kuripuni Village.
The move would see the Kuripuni intersection reconfigured by closing the right hand turn-off into Waltons Ave, and raising the pedestrian crossing.
Any change would be subject to consultation with those affected, need a further council resolution, and a detailed design.
Businesses that could be affected included accounting firm the Osborne Group, the Mobil Service Station, and Gary Pickering Funerals - all Waltons Ave, although the garage's main entrance was on Chapel St.
Jason Osborne, owner of the Osborne group, said the change would definitely affect them and he would be interested in seeing more information.
"We've received nothing other than reading about the council meeting," he said.
He said if the change went ahead, the main access for the firm's clients would be through Chapel St. There would still be access from the Dixon St end, but it would be restricted.
"Us and the funeral home would probably be the main ones affected."
Gary Pickering, the funeral homeowner, thought his clients would be less affected because even though he was next to the affected turn-off, he and most customers used a car park at the back of the premises which exited onto another road.
Blaine Smith is the owner of the Mobil Service Station. He said the change was unlikely to affect them because most of their traffic came off State Highway 2 (Chapel St).
He said traffic into his business from the other direction could get slowed down.
"It could push more traffic onto Chapel St, but not a lot, because those (Kuripuni) stores are more of a destination in themselves."
A report tabled at the council meeting recommended approval for the change, saying it would improve safety and efficiency.
"A review of crash data reveals ten reported crashes in the vicinity between 2020 and 2025, primarily involving side-impact collisions," it said.
The council had carried out a review of the intersection last August, after council customers reported concerns about its safe and efficient operation
The intersection in question is outside Duncan's pharmacy at the shopping precinct - a busy and complex network involving the convergence of Dixon Street, Queen Street, High Street, Waltons Avenue and South Road.
A council spokesperson told the meeting the intersection had multiple conflict points, and it was difficult for drivers to find gaps.
The report said options like roundabouts were ruled out because of cost and the shape of the site. Removing the right turn into Waltons Avenue was the most cost-effective solution.
"This change significantly reduces conflict points while minimising disruption to the wider network. It is also recommended that further pedestrian safety improvements, such as raised crossings, be included in the detailed design phase to further enhance safety in this high pedestrian area."
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
