West Otago Community Board member Linda Roulston said motorists exceeding a 50kmh speed limit on Heriot’s main street had been a concern for residents for several years.
The issue came to light once again in recent Clutha District Council community planning, alongside requests from the community to beautify the main street, which extends for 2km and passes retail outlets, industrial and freight businesses, a community centre and the town’s primary school.
Mrs Roulston said the community board was now looking at ways to satisfy both community wishes, by installing traffic-calming measures such as planted berms or bulbous kerbs.
"It’s a very long, wide main street and often, as people get over the bridge, they see the straight ahead of them and their foot twitches and away they go.
"Unfortunately at this north end of town you still have a community centre, several homes and the school at the end, so it’s important that drivers are reminded they’re still in a residential area, and to keep within safe speeds."
Fellow board member Bruce Robertson said, because the road could be quiet at times, people could make assumptions they would not encounter other drivers or pedestrians.
"There’s a stop sign for another entrance to Heriot midway, behind the hotel, which, unfortunately, some people treat as a give way.
"We’ve had a few near misses there with cyclists and the like, so anything we can do just to make people continue to be aware this is a town centre for the full 2km would be helpful. I’ve seen people doing 70 or 80[kmh] on some stretches."
The town was also included in several online campervan tourist routes, he said, meaning the road was sometimes unexpectedly busy.
Mrs Roulston said the board was open to feedback from the community.
"We’ve just talked to council staff about some initial possibilities, so it’s early days at this stage. We’re thinking perhaps some sort of planted verges or bulbous kerbs to remind people they’re still in town and to keep to the speed, as well as giving the town a little colour at the same time."
Mr Robertson said he hoped to see construction work begin within the next six months.
"It’s a great place to live, with lots going on, all centred on this street. We want it to be a safe place, too."
