An island being removed in Welcome Bay in January last year. Photo/George Novak
An island being removed in Welcome Bay in January last year. Photo/George Novak
In the past three years, 22 roadworks complaints have been made in the Bay of Plenty to the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Information released to the Bay of Plenty Times showed the Bay of Plenty was the fifth worst region in New Zealand for roadworks complaints, behind Waikato, Northland, Aucklandand Wellington.
In the worst year, 2014, there were six complaints relating to noise, two related to work sites and one each for drainage, external works and fencing.
The transport agency received 302 complaints nationally related to roadworks from 2013 to November 2016.
The worst region was the Waikato with 68 complaints while Southland and Gisborne had only one complaint each over the three-year period.
Minister of Transport and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges said it was pleasing to see the Bay of Plenty had a moderate number of complaints compared with other regions across New Zealand.
"There are unprecedented works around the Bay of Plenty. Whenever there are new projects and improvements [to roads] they come with a downside of roadworks which cause temporarily inconvenience, but in the end it's a short-term pain for a long-term gain.
"I appreciate the patience of Bay of Plenty drivers as we improve and cater for the growing transport network," he said.
Motorists won't have their frustrations eased anytime soon with a large number of roading projects set for the Western Bay's roading network in the next few years.
That includes the Government's $520 million package of roadworks that will transform State Highway 2 between Tauranga and Waihi, and includes the long-awaited $286m new Tauranga Northern Link.
The centrepiece, a new 6.8km section in each direction connecting Takitimu Drive to Loop Rd, would be welcomed by many, especially Bethlehem residents whose lives have been plagued by serious traffic congestion.
