Busy Intersection Finally Getting Traffic Lights

Traffic lights are well overdue for the corner of Lindisfarne and Yarrow Streets, according to residents living close to the intersection.

Local submitting on the Invercargill City Council’s proposed upgrade say the corner is a hazard and has been an accident waiting to happen for years.

The Invercargill City Council identified the intersection was high risk, with 18 crashes recorded in the past five years.

The safety improvements are partially funded through Waka Kotahi’s Road to Zero initiative and will be completed by July.

But not everyone is impressed.  Business owner Farhan Malik who owns Souvlaki & Kebab Corner said traffic lights would have a significant impact on his business.

He believes it would deter customers from coming in, because of increased congestion and delays, as well as the removal of carparks outside.

In a report to council it outlined how the project also enhanced pedestrian crossing facilities and cycling infrastructure at the intersection.

Manager of Strategic Asset Planning Doug Rodgers told the Infrastructure Committee on Tuesday that the problems had been with visibility, and a lot of the crashes had the potential to be serious.

Cr Darren Ludlow said it was a great move, “it’s about time,” and he wished it had been done 10 years ago.

Cr Trish Boyle had some sympathies for those traders who had built up businesses on that corner.  However, of the four consulted, only one owner was opposed to the work.

Other options such as a roundabout were discussed and staff noted that wouldn’t be possible without taking people’s land.

Having considered the submissions received in response to the proposal, the committee decided to proceed with the upgrade to the intersection as notified.