Relief in sight for Greerton retailers but roadworks damage already done

Mohammad Zaber, from Colorado Dairy, Greerton, says the impact from roadworks on Cameron Rd is better but still a problem for retailers. Photo / John Borren

Seven months of disruptive roadworks in the heart of Greerton are expected to end this week but, for some retailers, the damage has already been done.

Retailers in the area last month spoke out about a drop in revenue due to the project.

Some complained of an 80 per cent downturn in business. Others have since picked up second jobs.

This week, Mostly $2 Shop owner Raghvir Kaur said she was using her family money to keep the business afloat.

"I'm putting my money from my pocket into the shop. I don't know what else I can do," the solo mum of three said.

Kaur said that, since roadworks began in March, people could no longer park outside, and the shifting of a pedestrian crossing made it more of a hassle for would-be customers to visit her store. The traffic created by the roadworks and the pedestrian crossing was also a big problem, she said.

"Customers, people living here, they all complain about it."

Kaur said the relocation of several businesses to Tauriko or elsewhere had not helped.

Colorado Dairy manager Mohammed Zaber was among the retailers impacted by the roadworks a month ago. The situation had improved since then, he said.

"It's still a problem but, as part of society, sometimes you have to compromise."

Zaber said he was putting faith in the council, which had the data and resources to know what it was doing.

"I'm not complaining, but I'm still sceptical," he said. "To be honest, 80 to 90 per cent of people are not happy with what they are doing here."

The council previously stated the works were aimed to make traffic flow safer but Zaber said, in his view, it only made things worse.

He pointed to people crossing the road outside his shop, instead of using the new pedestrian crossing by the Chadwick Rd roundabout.

"People still cross here. All that [other] crossing does is back up traffic in the roundabout."

Other retailers also complained the works were dangerous because of the traffic build-up through the roundabout caused by the new controlled pedestrian crossing.

Greerton Village Community Association's Sally Benning said consultation on the works began over two years ago and retailers were kept updated via email newsletters.

"It's fair to say it certainly had an effect on retailers. I have complete and utter empathy for them. Not everybody is happy about what's happened."

The association manager said she received two written complaints from retailers who had been passed on to the council. However, "the work has got to be done".

"That's pretty much their [council and contractors] response. I don't particularly like that response but we have to accept that will be the case."

Retailers had experienced some "small wins" such as regaining some carparks from the original plans, she said.

Tauranga City Council project manager Jenny Hill said the council received one to two messages each week from people - mostly questioning how the new road layout would work.

"The design is all about creating a safer environment for more people by reducing the potential points of conflict between people and vehicles," Hill said.

Hill said she aimed to have most of the work between Chadwick Rd and Cornwall Rd completed by the end of this week, before the weekend's Cherry Blossom Festival.

The off-street carparking area has been resurfaced. A new rain garden has been built between the carpark and Cameron Rd. Work on the Chadwick Rd roundabout is nearly finished, and contractors were now resurfacing Cameron Rd between the Chadwick and Cornwall roundabouts, Hill said.

The next stage, between Chadwick Rd and Pooles Rd, will start in early October.

Hill said the council was working with Greerton Village Community Association to accommodate retailers wherever possible, "mostly by trying to get the project finished as soon as practical while minimising the disruption".

Sushi man picks up kiwifruit work for income

Master J Sushi owner Jake Park has taken on a second job to try to generate income after a major downturn in business, and he blames roadworks. Photo / John Borren

A Greerton retailer says the downturn in trade has become so dire he has taken up a job on a kiwifruit orchard to try to generate income.

Jake Park owns Master J Sushi on Cameron Rd and blames roadworks outside the store for a 40 per cent drop in revenue.

The South Korean national has been in New Zealand for 10 years and was frustrated at the roadworks on Cameron Rd, which include the relocation of a pedestrian crossing.

Park pointed to stationary traffic on the Chadwick Rd roundabout and said the new crossing, a few metres from the intersection, was "very, very dangerous because of these traffic jams".

"It's a waste of money."

Park said the traffic jams along this stretch of Cameron Rd had become so bad, he knew of people who avoided driving through and stopping in Greerton.

"I'm very, very upset," he said. "My shop, customers are down. I have no income. No money. So I go and get a second job at a kiwifruit orchard, grafting."

Unfortunately for Park, he was injured on the job - badly cutting a finger. He required surgery, and now he is unable to help with 70 per cent of the workload the sushi shop requires. He does what he can.

"I assist my wife," he said.

Park accepted much of the roadworks were a done deal but said he wanted the Tauranga City Council to reconsider going back to the original location for the new controlled pedestrian.