Opinion: Traffic congestion is a massive problem, but not a new or surprising one

Five minutes can make a massive amount of difference on the roads in Tauranga. Photo / File

It's amazing what difference five minutes can make - particularly when it comes to beating traffic in Tauranga.

None of us are surprised roads are busier than normal this week as all levels of schooling are back in action and parents are taking their kids to school before setting into routine.

To get to where you need to go on time can mean factoring in a good hour depending on where you are coming from.

This is not a new issue and nor are we likely to be surprised about it but damn it is definitely frustrating.

This week I've had to drive from Welcome Bay into work on Cameron Rd, twice.

The first time, I underestimated the level of back to school traffic and left Welcome Bay just before 7.15am. It took me 40 minutes to travel about 8km.

Yesterday, I left a little later - 7.20am. I arrived at work after 8.30am to do the same distance. Traffic was backed up from the pedestrian crossing outside the Welcome Bay shops all the way to the top of the road and of course, Turrett Rd.

Colleagues travelling from elsewhere in the Western Bay of Plenty had delayed trips to work too.

I've obviously learnt my lesson, I need to factor in more time and leave much earlier to beat the traffic if I'm travelling from Welcome Bay any time in the future but goodness, that is a ridiculous amount of time to travel only a few kilometres.

How has this week's traffic held you up? Let us know by writing a Letter to the Editor at editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz