Planning for future works will now be easier thanks to the completion of accessibility audits of the streets network in the district's main CBD's.

The audits look at how the Thames Coromandel District Council can make physical environments more accessible, especially for disabled people and the elderly.

Accessibility audits have been carried out on six of the district's main CBD's, like Pauanui. Photo: File

The audits started out as a pilot project in Thames last year and have been conducted by CCS Disability Action and Steve Taylor of Taylored Accessibility Solutions.

This year they were also carried out in Coromandel Town, Whitianga, Tairua, Pauanui and Whangamata thanks to Social Development's Making a Difference fund.

While TCDC is under no obligation to carry out recommendations the audits will help inform future work programmes.

Several community boards have already approved some funding to address issues identified as serious safety risks in their towns.

Council chief executive David Hammond says they are really pleased to get onto doing some physical works that can help make getting around the towns easier for people.

'Having clear guidance from accessibility specialists will help inform future decisions.

'Further improvement work will be considered over the longer term.”

The audits examine identified accessibility issues and makes recommendations for how they could be addressed.

They break down into three sections: serious safety risks, significant concerns and minor concerns.

The issues faced by locals as they move around town centres were identified during public meetings held in each area earlier this year.

To read accessibility reports for the Colville-Coromandel, Mercury Bay, Tairua-Pauanui and Whangamata areas visit the TCDC website at www.tcdc.govt.nz