A dedicated bus stop at Alison Avenue in Albert Town will make getting on and off the school bus safer for children but will not solve all issues with parking and safety in the increasingly busy area.

The Wanaka Community Board (WCB) approved a permanent bus stop adjacent to the commercial area at a meeting last Thursday (April 1), which means the bus will no longer stop in the ‘live lane’ to pick up students. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillor Niamh Shaw also said Albert Town residents had expressed concerns “with sightlines and safety” and the option to remove road parking adjacent to the bus stop was considered the safer option and approved by the board.

Niamh said she remained concerned about the volume of students getting on and off the bus at the busy location twice a day, and WCB deputy chair Ed Taylor suggested a “long term solution” was necessary as the road neighbours a commercial complex with a Four Square, pub, fish and chip shop and cafe, plus soon-to-be-completed apartments.

Reducing the number of car parks on Alison Avenue (all car parks are adjacent to the commercial area) would make finding parking space more difficult for visitors but improve the entry and exit of the commercial complex via motorised vehicles.

It would also “support the requests from the public to improve access and safety” and “improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists” according to the council report.

PHOTO: Wanaka App