New traffic lights by Aquatic Centre

New traffic lights will be installed on Kapiti Road where it intersects with Larch Grove and a new access road leading to the Coastlands Aquatic Centre.

The traffic lights will ensure people can safely get to the centre, due to open at the end of March, whatever type of transport they use. A roundabout was considered at the site but would not have provided sufficient safe access for pedestrians and cyclists. 

“Pedestrians and cyclists need to have safe access, as well as drivers of cars and other vehicles,” says Sean Mallon, Group Manager Infrastructure Services.

The lights will be configured to give priority to drivers on Kapiti Road, rather than the side roads joining it, to reduce traffic delays. They will also be linked to the current traffic lights at the Rimu Road intersection to ensure traffic is kept moving along Kapiti Road, one of the district’s busiest local roads.

Work on laying trenches for the new lights and the access road to the Aquatic Centre started last week. It will be completed by early March.