Traffic banks behind 'silly' lights

New traffic lights installed at 15th Ave to make the area safer are today under fire for making congestion worse.
The "silly" lights were installed on March 3 as part of New Zealand Transport Agency's Hairini Link Advanced Works project, responsible for the recent work at the Fraser St and 15th Ave intersection.
Since then traffic congestion had only got worse, Welcome Bay resident Lindsay Aplin says.
"At peak times traffic has been backed up to the top of 15th Ave and Fraser St," Mr Aplin said.
Mr Aplin said there were also problems with the turning lane for west-bound traffic wanting to turn into Burrows St.
"If there is more than one car that wants to turn right into Burrows St and the lights are red or not, that's going to delay traffic going up 15th Ave," he said.
"These cars won't be able to go until there is no traffic coming down 15th Ave. It's bad enough that we still have these problems at Turret Rd."
Mr Aplin said the lights were a waste of money.
"It's just silly, I thought road works were meant to free up traffic."
Richard Wagner from Bay Beat Batteries on 15th Ave said traffic gets congested but he was glad there was a pedestrian crossing.
"If you get more than two cars turning right it starts backing up the traffic a lot, but it's not too bad. They flow on pretty quickly."
Mr Wagner said the mornings were the worst, as school parents tried turning into Burrows St to drop children off at school.
"They could have found a better place for it [lights]."
Hazel Harris, from Vertical Horizonz on 15th Ave said it was dangerous in the mornings when drivers tried turning into the Burrows St.
She also said people did not pay attention.
"Because they are new, people aren't aware."
Ms Harris said many drivers stopped to let an oncoming pedestrian across when they didn't need to, and caused traffic congestion, she said.
NZTA projects team manager Kevin Reid said the agency had received some complaints in relation to people concerned at a lack of room for waiting traffic turning into Burrows St - a result of the new lights.
"We have explained [to complainants] the clear turning bay has not been reduced and we do not encourage drivers to queue or wait in the flush median," Mr Reid said.
The $160,000 instalment was designed to provide a safe pedestrian and cyclist crossing where no facilities previously existed.
"Crossing the road in this area was observed as very dangerous during the morning and evening peak, especially for school children."
Mr Reid said NZTA worked closely with surrounding businesses and Tauranga City Council.
He said the instalment of the lights was a success.
"The team were aware about the effect the lights might have over the merge area south of Hairini bridge... we are pleased that the traffic modelling was proven accurate with not significant change or increased delays due to the lights."