The Methven Community Board is wasting no time setting about implementing its newly-adopted strategic plan.

Chair Kelvin Holmes said one of the issues that had surfaced during consultation on the strategic plan was about the need to improve pedestrian safety.

“We had some great conversations with our community as part of the work to update our strategic vision for Methven and one theme that emerged was that the town needed some more pedestrian crossings so people young and old could move about safely.

“We’ve begun talking with the district council and NZTA about pedestrian crossings and we’ll report back to the community soon on progress.”

The community strategic plan was adopted at the community board’s meeting last week and Mr Holmes said he was proud of its vision.

“We had some great feedback, whether it was formally through the consultation process or at the Methven A&P Show or on the street. Methven has changed and grown a lot over the past decade and residents were keen to share their ideas and goals.

“One thing is for certain, we are all proud of our town and this is a good plan for the future. It’s been developed by the people of Methven, for Methven, and now we’re keen to start implementing it.”

Its goals are for Methven to be an attractive town in which to live work and play; a leader in tourism and business opportunities, and be a safe, caring town with well-informed and engaged residents.

The board received 84 submissions during consultation, from residents, local businesses, community groups and school children.

Mr Holmes said thanked all those who gave feedback, shared ideas and made suggestions.

“We’ve done a lot of work, it’s been a good process, and now we’ve got a good plan. It’s the board’s job now to keep its eye on the ball to implement it and we’ve already begun our first task, which is to look at the need for more pedestrian crossings.”

The strategic plan is Methven’s third. The first was in 1997 and that was reworked in 2009.