Roadworks force Pyes Pa shop closure

After three years in her dream job, Pyes Pa Shop owner Diane Manson is being forced to close because of roadworks.
Ongoing roadworks, related to the upgrade of the Takitimu Drive/State Highway 36 extension, has lost Mrs Manson thousands of dollars, she said.
"I don't know what I'm going to do now. This is my business and I have no idea anymore."
The roadworks outside her shop, which is across the road from the Pyes Pa cemetery, began in early 2010.
In November last year problems began to get serious when lane dividers were put in place outside the shop. This further restricted drivers travelling from Tauranga toward Rotorua from turning back and entering the shop.
Mrs Manson said a number of her regular customers had since ceased from shopping at the store as it was "extremely dangerous" to turn across the lane of oncoming traffic.
Problems escalated again in January this year when concrete barriers were set up on the road directly in front of the shop. These barriers have blocked one entrance/exit way and are expected to be in place until June.
Those travelling from Rotorua to Tauranga can still access the shop, however the driveway is extremely narrow.
Because of the limited access, trucks delivering goods had refused to continue supplying the store as they could not safely enter and exit the site, Mrs Manson said.
"Because of the drop in sales, the orders have gone down and it isn't viable for them to deliver anymore," she said.
One lane outside the shop has been dug out and parking spaces were now being used as a traffic lane.
"It's beyond a joke," Mrs Manson said. She decided on Sunday to shut up her shop for good.
"Years ago, back before any of this happened, we would have a customer base of around 180 per day. Now I'm lucky if I get 20," she said.
Mrs Manson said she was grateful to those who continued to buy from the Pyes Pa shop and said their support had been fantastic.
Mrs Manson's landlord, Bryce Matuschka, operated the Pyes Pa shop for three years before Mrs Manson took it over. During this time, he said business was up around 270 customers per day. He said there was a great need for the rural shop and it was extremely sad to see it go.
"When she shuts down, she'll have to give up the lease and I'm going to lose out heaps," Mr Matuschka said.
"No one's going to rent out the place while the roadworks are still going on."
Mr Matuschka said Mrs Manson's lease was due to end at the end of May and there was not a lot that he could do if she shut shop.
"I'll just have to deal with it I suppose."
He believed work should be completed at night, when there was less traffic on the road.
"I think they should put on two shifts and work through to 11-12pm at night and get the job done when it causes less disruption for everyone."
New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) state highway manager Rod James said they had worked with Mrs Manson to ensure there was access to the shop at all times and had provided signs to tell travellers the shop remained open.
Mr James said the project, jointly funded by NZTA and Tauranga City Council, was on schedule, with the new roundabout expected to be open for traffic use in the next few weeks while the Highway was excavated to a lower level.
Mr James said the roundabout was expected to be completely functional by April with the project completed by late May-early June.