New line put forward over road names

Confusing roads in Pohangina may get their names changed.

The four numbered "lines" off Pohangina Valley East Rd have caused problems over the years with people mistaking one for another, and Pohangina Community Committee member Raewyn Hilliard wants the names changed.

The name changes should reflect local geography or history, but residents in the area must agree to the proposal before anything could happen, she said.

She said she had suggested the idea to change the names a few years ago, but a committee member had opposed it.

"Originally the lines were timber lines which had be carved out and the line names were created that way," she said. "I want to retain the history but I think we should still consider changing the names."

Mrs Hilliard and her husband, who is also on the committee, own Songbird Gardens on No1 Line in Pohangina.

She said she was speaking with residents who lived on the four "lines".

"I'm hoping to hold a meeting, either line-by-line or at the local school to gauge their opinions and take a vote," she said. "I've suggested we named each street after some of the Maori streams that run alongside the streets, but I'm open to any better suggestions the community may have."

She said so far she had a good response to the name changes.

"Residents on No4 Line have been telling me they get a lot of people going up there thinking it's No1 Line."

"I have the same problem here too. I get trucks coming to my door asking if my street is No4 Line," she said.

Pohangina Community Committee and Manawatu District councillor John Baxter said the road names were confusing. "There is quite a lengthy process to change a name but it would be nice to have some better names."

A majority vote would be needed before anything went to council to be approved, he said. The reaction to the suggestion had been positive, as no-one at the committee meeting had verbally opposed it.

Mrs Hilliard wants to have a community meeting before the next committee meeting on April 6.

- © Fairfax NZ News