Waikanae Retirement Village Residents Petition Council Over Road Safety
More than 30 residents of the Bishop Snedden Retirement Village have presented a petition to the Kāpiti Coast District Council, calling for urgent traffic restrictions on a section of Kapanui Rd that borders the community.
The petition, delivered during Thursday’s council meeting, requests that the council implement a lower speed limit, a new pedestrian crossing, or a parking ban in front of two specific village units to address growing safety concerns.
Visibility and Pedestrian Risks
Residents informed the council that the road has become increasingly congested with vehicles. Resident John Phillips stated that cars parked near intersections and driveways are blocking drivers’ lines of sight, creating dangerous conditions for those exiting the village or backing out of driveways onto Kapanui Rd.
According to the petition, drivers are sometimes forced to edge two metres onto the road to check for approaching traffic. Phillips added that some of these vehicles remain parked in these areas 24/7.
Monica Nicholas, the chairperson of the village’s residents committee, highlighted the impact on residents who may be using walking aids or who are visually impaired. Nicholas noted that parked cars make it more difficult for these individuals to cross the road to access pre-cooked meals, regular lab appointments, or the local cafe.
Calls for “School-Zone” Protections
The petition argues that the current speed limit of 50km/h is too fast for residents to cross safely and proposes a reduction to 40km/h.
“People can’t just see out the road, We find cars parked the whole way up the road,” Nicholas said. “Traffic is quite fast down that road so we’re asking them to consider reducing the speed past our village in the same way.”
Phillips emphasized the vulnerability of the population, stating, “It really should be treated no different than a school. These are vulnerable people.”
Potential Next Steps
Following the presentation of the petition, Sean Mallon, the council’s infrastructure and asset management group manager, stated that officials would follow up on the request. A possible next step involves the council sending a representative to inspect the road conditions on Kapanui Rd.
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