Tauranga's traffic woes sparked locals to write letters to the editor. Photo/file
John Cousins' story "Clogged Up" (Benefits of $225m Tauranga roading project lost after 8 years) is pretty well on target.
It has been obvious for the past couple of years a major traffic problem was looming, now exacerbated by the sudden huge influx of people coming here, especially those fleeing Auckland.
Tauranga's population is up 10 per cent and our traffic volumes by at least that figure, probably more.
Existing infrastructure simply cannot cope nor can it be made to cope in the short term - there can be no immediate relief and things will just get far worse and may well just keep going south.
The Bayfair roundabout is a prime example, when around 10 years ago it was suggested that traffic lights be installed for little cost NZTA pooh-poohed that notion by claiming the Te Maunga /Bayfair flyovers were imminent. Well folks, that's still at least a couple of years away and in the meantime the Bayfair location has become intolerable.
Current proposals to ease traffic congestion are ludicrous.
In 2006 the "powers that be" should have listened by selecting Matapihi Rd and installing another low-level harbour crossing at the Matapihi rail bridge, upgrading the rail bridge and incorporating the sewer pipeline, at same time saving $21 million on the pipeline harbour crossing.
Incidentally I was in the middle of the traffic mayhem last Thursday when Hewletts Rd, Aerodrome Rd, Jean Batten Place, Newton Rd and Totara St etc were all gridlocked for over an hour for what was a relatively minor traffic accident. The solution is stop developing subdivisions and issuing building consents until this mess is sorted out.
Also stop putting faith in those that have caused our problems and now say they have the answers - yeah right. (Abridged)
- Rob Paterson, Matapihi
I'm starting to see a pattern here: the more roads we build, the sooner they get turned into elongated car parks. Still we appear to be fixated on this thing called a motorcar, expecting it to solve our transport problems.
It is high time that for every dollar spent on a road, we should spend an equal amount on alternative forms of transport.
What can be done? Lots really, but our elected leaders appear, in my view, to be scared to introduce new measures because it will be perceived as "prescriptive" by our Kiwi psyche, and cost them the next election.
For a start, why aren't kids biking to school? During school holidays there is a noticeable difference in traffic density. Not only will we reducing traffic congestion, but it will also help to alleviate childhood obesity.
Cycling offers some very attractive solutions, and costs a fraction of doing any equivalent for motorcars. This not only applies to the roads, but parking infrastructure too.
While it may sound a bit Third World, and our weather does not favour biking, just look at European countries who have done this very effectively. Their laws too favour the cyclist, making it much safer to get around on a bike.
How about encouraging car-pooling by only allowing vehicles with three people or more in the fast lane? I've been to numerous cities where this rule applies, and it works.
Here is another: Trucks may not use the fast lane during rush-hours. They certainly won't since they only carry one passenger if the rule above kicks in.
I'm afraid that the solutions are staring us in the face, but we're still stuck in car mode. Unless we can snap out of that, we're going to have more of the same. (Abridged)
- Jan Booysen, Chairman - BOP Community Trails Trust
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