Letters: Thumbs-up for Greerton traffic changes

Changes to Greerton's roading network have made the area better, says a reader. Photo / file

So Merle Bray (Letters, April 1) says "the debacle at Greerton has added to the traffic backup".

Not really. Any school day the bumper to bumper traffic line begins at Gate Pā and extends as far as Barkes Corner.

Don't blame Greerton for the delays. It's only piggy in the middle along Cameron Rd.

Now the construction dust has settled I quite like the new Greerton roundabout and better pedestrian crossings. Slowing the traffic makes for much safer crossings. No empty shops like there are in downtown dead Tauranga - says it all about the local economy.

It has taken me a while but I think I have figured out the maze of bus connections in Greerton. A great and easy way to travel, even with free wi-fi.

I also bike and walk, and that's quicker than driving.

The new layout gets a pass mark from me. (Abridged)

A G Stewart
Pyes Pa

Council correct to address Māori grievances

D.J. Bennett (Letters, March 30) states that it is not the ratepayer's job to fund alleged (Māori) grievances. I agree.

However local councillors still have a legal responsibility, that ordinary citizens like D.J. Bennett do not have, to observe the Treaty of Waitangi with goodwill in their council decision making, which makes the transfer of 11 Mission St to a Māori Trust an appropriate decision.

Peter Dey
Welcome Bay

Kaimai tunnel a 'no brainer'

The revelation that the Golden Triangle of Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga contains half the country's population and the economy shows how far behind we have come with our transport links to service this region.

Many years ago with less complex equipment than we have today, the Kaimai tunnel effectively improved rail links between Tauranga and the rest of the Golden Triangle.

This tunnel is probably limited in its capability by now, especially if there is a desire to set up a passenger rail link to Auckland through Hamilton. For a start, it is unventilated so it may be necessary to build an additional new link to also give the truckies a hand as their big machines are forced to grind laboriously up the Kaimai portion of State Highway 29 and descend even more slowly down the other side.

A feasibility study has shown that a ventilated road tunnel through the Kaimai could effectively solve both needs. Giving the truckies a level playing field through the Kaimai Range (but it must be a four-lane tunnel plus a new passenger rail link) to Hamilton and on to Auckland is a total no-brainer.

The savings in time and transport costs will be huge and beneficial to the Bay of Plenty economy.

Let's get pro-active and get it sorted. (Abridged)

Laurie Sanders
Pyes Pa

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