A united, passionate plea to remove controversial concrete kerb blocks has been made to the Dunedin City Council.
Saddle Hill Community Board chairman Scott Weatherall said 15 ''passionate'' residents met Dunedin City Council staff at the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club and Community Facility on Thursday.
The main focus of the meeting was the blocks placed along one side of Brighton Rd.
''There was a clear request from those at the meeting to have the concrete blocks removed with some urgency.''
The residents were concerned because the blocks had made the road more dangerous than before, they stopped vehicles and cyclists having the option to leave the road in an emergency and the blocks damaged vehicles when hit.
The blocks also made it dangerous for motorists to leave and enter driveways in the area because a wider turning arc was needed, and vehicles had to travel on the wrong side of the road.
The residents said the makeshift footpath was uneven and dangerous for using prams and mobility scooters, and some vehicles parked on it.
The residents said the design of the area lacked an ''aesthetic appeal'' and wanted the council to remove the blocks and begin a formal consultation process.
''Most seemed in favour of a formed footpath on the seaward side. They know that this would cost money, and would be prepared to wait for this, rather than have what is perceived a cheap and unsafe alternative.''
South Seas Gallery and Coffee Shop owner Janet Weir-Crooks said she attended the meeting because she wanted the blocks removed outside her Brighton Rd gallery. The blocks had stopped customers visiting the gallery.
She hoped the council would remove the blocks and start the work it proposed in 2006, of building a formed footpath and widening the road another 10cm to allow space for on-street parking.
''We just want the initial plan,'' she said.
She believed the ''honest'' meeting last week would be enough motivation for the council to begin the work.
Former city councillor Colin Weatherall said the 2006 project stalled because it was part of a bigger roading project, and the budget was spent before it reached Brighton Rd.
Momentum was also lost after the death of council engineer Warren Tweedie, a driving force behind the project.
Council transportation project engineer Michael Harrison said the council was investigating ways to address the residents' concerns and the review on possible changes for the area would take place as quickly as possible.
''I need to get some people to look at the options and make sure we are not creating another problem through a kneejerk reaction.''
