The long-delayed final stage of a project to remove traffic from one of New Zealand's most precious heritage sites is to get under way at last next year.
In 2008 the one-way bridge at Kerikeri Basin was removed and replaced with a $19million Heritage Bypass funded by the Ministry of Arts and Culture.
In heavy rain the old bridge would trap debris and turn into a dam, threatening two of New Zealand's oldest buildings - Kemp House (1822) and the Stone Store (1836). It also created steady traffic passing metres from the Stone Store. A footbridge linking the Stone Store with a Department of Conservation reserve across the river was delayed for 18 months when the cost for a concrete design came in at $3million. A redesigned steel and timber footbridge was opened in late 2009 with overhead power lines put underground around the same time.
However, part of the old road remains, petering out in front of Kemp House and just before the river. It will finally be removed next year in a project funded by the DoC and the Far North District Council. Work will include landscaping, improving traffic flow, enlarging and sealing the car park below St James Church and building new public toilets.
Far North Mayor John Carter said work was originally due to get under way in May this year but was delayed while design elements were resolved and approved. The Kerikeri Basin Management Group also wanted the work done outside the peak visitor season. The job will now start on March 3 and take until Labour Weekend to complete.
Mr Carter said removing the road bridge transformed the Stone Store area from one of Kerikeri's busiest thoroughfares to a relaxing environment. Finishing touches had been added. The group hoped improving the carpark and changing the road layout would deter visitors from driving down to the wharf. Tour buses would still be able to drop off passengers and vehicle access to the Pear Tree restaurant would stay.
Visitors, especially those in campervans, would be encouraged to use the carpark at the end of Landing Rd, on the northern side of the river, while work was under way. The Kerikeri Basin Management Group includes representatives from the FNDC, DoC, Te Runanga o Ngati Rehia, the NZ Historic Places Trust, the Society for the Preservation of the Stone Store, Destination Northland and the Northland Tourism Development Group.