Bit queues to see big ship

REBECCA STEVENSON
THE day Queen Victoria sailed in to town was big, said Port of Napier commercial manager Chris Bain.
Biggest ship ever to berth in the Port of Napier, the biggest greeting the big ship has received on its maiden voyage, biggest crowd seen at the port and the biggest traffic jam seen for many years.
``It went to plan, with what seemed to be thousands watching,' Mr Bain said.
The size of the ship had created huge public interest. That, coupled with Art Deco Weekend, meant hundreds walked a ``well-worn path' from the city centre to the port.
``It was quite unique, many of the passengers really enjoyed the arrival and the public enjoyed watching it.
``Not often do you have the port open in that way. It was a special day,' he said. Those who saw the ship were in awe of it, and agreed it was worth the wait.
For Napier police, it was all hands on deck to try and deal with traffic chaos caused by people trying to get a close look at the great liner.
The hill gridlocked first as people sought good viewing spots for the incoming ship.
Police called for the council to put out ``residents only' signs.
That offered a little respite but someone removed the signs and traffic poured into the area again.
Ahuriri then came to a halt as traffic backed up as far as the Hyderabad Rd roundabout.
One motorist complained it took 40 minutes to get 500 metres.
``Most people were good and co-operated,' acting senior sergeant Wendy Wright said.
``A few got a little heated but generally it was good.'
At one stage police stopped traffic from entering the Ahuriri area due to the gridlock.
Mr Bain said feedback from the ship's passengers would determine whether or not Napier is visited by the Queen Victoria again.
While the greeting had been great, there were problems getting passengers to and from the port, Mr Bain said.
Buses sent to take the tourists from the port to events and activities around Napier and Hawke's Bay had been caught up in the CBD gridlock caused by street closures for Art Deco and the traffic jams caused by people pouring in to see the ship.
``It was a double jeopardy kind of situation.
``We need to work more closely with the council to find a solution which allows the buses to get around more easily.'
Anne Marsh, from Pittsburgh, said her party had been waiting for over an hour for their bus back to the port. ``We took a trip to Cape Kidnappers, saw the golf course -which was beautiful - and rode up to the gannets. It was gorgeous. The wind was blowing the right way so it didn't smell, they gave us lunch ... then we came back and looked around all the Art Deco.
``It's all been fabulous, apart from waiting here for an hour for the bus.'
Mr Bain said Napier had to provide a total package and the visit of the Queen Victoria had shown areas for improvement. ``Even if the streets had been open there could have been problems with traffic so we need to work on that.'
A gold coin donation to see the ship raised $13,000. That would be split between the HB Rescue Helicopter Service and Port Ahuriri School.