A no parking zone is to be created on Methven Chertsey Road outside Methven’s new elder care facility.

Members of the Methven Community Board and Methven Care met with Council’s roading team recently and agreed that the no parking area would extend from the SH77 corner to the eastern end of the care home, and incorporate a loading zone for delivery vehicles.

The community board had asked for a pedestrian crossing that could be used by Methven Care residents crossing the road to the Methven Medical Centre and by primary school students on their way to and from school.

Infrastructure Group Manager Neil McCann said the merits of a zebra crossing, median island and kerb buildout had been discussed with the board and the care home.

“There is not enough pedestrian traffic on Methven Chertsey Road to justify a painted crossing and a median island is also not appropriate, given the use by farm machinery and heavy vehicles.

“In the end, the best option agreed to by all was to improve drivers’ vision of pedestrians and provide more room for the larger vehicles by having no parking in front of the care home.”

Community board chair Megan Fitzgerald said the changes would be in place soon, as the care home was opening in early December.

"We talked through all the options, and taking into account pedestrian safety, traffic flow, and feedback from the community and roading team, it was agreed that creating a no parking zone outside Methven Central would make the area safer for all."

Methven Central has off-street parking for visitors and residents with the main entrance being off Kilworth Street.