‘Garish’ crossings concern

Liz Angelo, of City Rise Up, is worried new brightly coloured pedestrian crossings like the one at the corner of Brown St and Elm Row, which is soon to be replicated outside Otago Boys’ High School, will detract from the area’s heritage values. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH

Liz Angelo, of City Rise Up, contacted the Otago Daily Times to voice concern at new pedestrian crossings being added at several locations in Arthur St as part of school safety zone improvements.

The crossings were "garish yellow, pink and red colours", and would soon include one next to the stone Memorial Arch at the entrance to Otago Boys’ High School, she said.

The pedestrian crossing.

Ms Angelo said the area was popular with tourists from all around the world because of its heritage values.

"Thousands pass this building each year to admire the fine architectural design that overlooks the city and harbour from the green Town Belt."

She wanted the council to consider her group’s "last-minute plea to stop Disneyland coming to Dunedin’s landmark building", by toning down the colours to be used on the crossings.

DCC acting transport group manager Nick Sargent said most of the new crossings had been installed already and the rest would be in place by the end of the month.

Council staff had already spoken to Ms Angelo to ‘‘explain the project’’, including that some of the bright colours conformed to "a defined standard which we are required to adhere to’’.

"Our opinion is that the works will bed in over time as the plants grow and the new works weather — this is happening already."

The improvements aimed to reduce traffic speeds and increase safety around schools in the area, "by making it obvious that you are entering a defined area", he said.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz