Stratford Identity Project under way | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

It was over four years ago that the Stratford community stated that they wanted more pride and identity within the district and the Stratford Identity Project was born. The community agreed to fund the project by way of a loan and, after meetings with stakeholders and consultation with the community, the final report was presented to Stratford District Councillors and a list of projects in priority order was decided on at Council's Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday September 12. First on the list is an upgrade of Broadway and the Prospero Place entranceway.

The pedestrian crossing between Prospero Place and the glockenspiel will be altered and have a pedestrian viewing area protected by stone bollards and a pedestrian refuge will be positioned close to the centre of the crossing. Seating will be located in the viewing area, facing the glockenspiel - which will have a fresh coat of white paint on the base.

Stratford District Mayor Brian Jeffares said the idea is to make the glockenspiel easier to view, but still keeping pedestrians safe in that area. "We also wanted to ensure that the changes wouldn't affect parking and that the signage would be clearer." The existing Prospero Place canopy will be extended to cover the new viewing platform and the covered walkway and the lych gate will be retained, but it will be relocated in Prospero Place where it will be lit to ensure it remains a strong feature. Part of the second project has already been funded through the Taranaki Electricity Trust (TET) which allocated funding applied for by Stratford District Council for special projects for the Stratford community. The project involves street and display lighting in the centre of town which will create more appealing street lamps and use lighting to feature things such as the up-lighting of trees, banners and structures and floodlighting of the clock tower. The TET funding will cover the replacement of the very old Christmas lighting.

"We hope that the lighting will incorporate as much of the existing structures as possible. For example, just the upper portion of the light may be replaced and existing climbing plants could remain on lampposts if that's feasible," Mr Jeffares said. The third project upgrades Broadway's roundabouts and surrounds. "A number of people made submissions during our Long Term Planning process on the roundabouts so we have listed this project as a priority on the list," Mr Jeffares said.

The new roundabouts will keep the existing kerb so cars will continue to travel around them safely, but they will have a stone apron which trucks can mount, making them easier for truckies to negotiate. Flowers will be planted into the central, raised island and four directional street signs will be attached to stone pillars at headlight level. There will be pedestrian barriers set back behind the existing kerb on the roundabout corners. Lettering in stainless steel with the words 'Welcome to Stratford' will be mounted on the barriers which will be constructed of stone. Pedestrian refuges will match the roundabout construction.

Repaving Broadway footpaths is next on the list of priorities and the project ranked fifth on the list is the revamp of the southern and northern entrances to the town. "The idea is to create a distinctive threshold to the town. The design we have accepted keeps the stone theme used in Prospero Place and the roundabouts and develops it using rock mountain sculpture to emphasise the gateway to the Egmont National Park," said Mayor Jeffares.

"These will be large enough to create a visual impact, be illuminated and have the word 'Stratford' in stainless steel on the plinth. The stone will be sourced locally." Council has ensured that the projects all comply with Transit's safety standards and have included the planting of trees in this part of the project to create an avenue feel.

The trees at the entrance will have uplighting to create a strong visual effect at night as well as during the day. Council has prioritised seven more projects which are, in order:

The Miranda Street entrance to Prospero Place ? A vandal-proof Information Centre tourism kiosk ? Lighting of the southern trees along Broadway ? Painting and remodelling of the Patea River Bridge on the eastern side to take advantage of the view of the river ? Plantings along the east side of Broadway North ? Developing an eastern gateway to Stratford in line with the northern and southern gateways ? Installation of LED signage on Broadway The project has been managed by Opus who won the contract to develop the upgrade, and work on Stage 1 is expected to start before Christmas. The full set of images for the project can be viewed on council's website at www.stratford.govt.nz

"There has been a lot of thought and work gone into the Stratford Identity Project from the community and experts and advisors. It's great that we are now at the stage where we will be able to see that work put into action and lift the whole look of Stratford.

Using consistent themes and local materials will ensure that we really do have a district we can be proud of," said Mayor Jeffares. However all of these projects are subject to funding.