Mostly Mark was present to listen to what steps the locals felt would help them survive in the immediate term. Signage was a focus of much of the discussion.
Signage promoting what Woodville had to offer the traveller was a priority. Mark said NZTA was trying to source an electronic sign and in the meantime erect a sign summarising reasons to stop in Woodville.
A small committee was appointed to decide the content of the sign, to meet 5pm Monday.
More signage was suggested for other routes into Woodville and on highways further distant.
Moving the detour signs which tended to divert traffic around Woodville was also a priority.
In the slightly longer term there were ideas put forward for events and activities to encourage people to come to Woodville. A "shop locally" campaign could be launched and the districts around Woodville could be encouraged to Go Visit Woodville.
In the longer term there was strong support for the government to step in as it had in Kaikoura and provide financial help for businesses and direction in the Manawatu Gorge/ Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track access routes issue.
"While the Manawatu Gorge is a local problem it is a national issue," Councillor Shirley Hull said.
'Heads need to roll'
A Tararua district councillor believes heads need to roll at the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) because of the lack of communication with Woodville people as they cope with 10 weeks' closure of the Manawatu Gorge.
Following a council visit to the town last week, Woodville-based councillor Peter Johns has taken a swipe at the lack of consultation by NZTA.
"They are more concerned with the long-term solution but businesses in Woodville are very disappointed by their lack of communication," he said.
"They have been extremely remiss in communicating with people.
"It's disgraceful. It's clear to me NZTA have either no person connected to the issue or no financial connect with business people in Woodville.
"Heads need to roll.
"If engineers haven't got the balls to sign off on the gorge, then what are the options and why aren't they being discussed openly?"
Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said her recent visit to the gorge caused her great concern.
"For me it was another blow when we were expecting the road to open."
Mrs Collis and her councillors visited Woodville last week to find out what could be done to support business people.
"All businesses have been affected differently," she said. "Some businesses are now into their reserves and how long can they hang out?
"Ten weeks is a long time to sustain a 30 per cent drop in traffic off the Saddle Rd alone and there's also the losses associated with people using the Pahiatua Track.
"The pain from the extended closure of the Manawatu Gorge 2011 slip is still in everyone's minds and people are asking 'how long is this going to continue' and 'what is this going to do to my business?'."
On Monday John Barrow, the Tararua representative on Horizons Regional Council, told Dannevirke Community Board members there is likely to be a significant announcement on the future of the gorge to come.
"The Saddle Rd, which has had $8.5 million spent on its upgrade, will have highway status and there's concern the Manawatu Gorge might be closed for some time. This will have a quite severe impact on the region."
At a recent meeting with NZTA management, Mr Barrow said he pointed out that Tararua had the satellite towns for people working in Manawatu.
"Up to 130 people from Woodville travel each day through to Palmerston North," he said.
"They live in Woodville because land and housing prices are considerably cheaper this side of the gorge. If the gorge was to close, that opportunity would be lost."
Mr Barrow said he suspected NZTA would call for submissions on the future of the gorge, based on the best information available.
"It's a money pit and has been for some time, but more so recently."
Mrs Collis said NZTA still had geotechnicians looking at the gorge and it had opened a specific website for increased and better communication.
"I've already discussed with them the need for increased signage to tell people Woodville is still open for business," she said. "And I'm delighted by the wonderful support from locals to places such as the Bridge Cafe. It's been fantastic."
Ross l'Anson, NZTA's highway manager, has said he is aware of the frustrations and stress of business owners who are affected by the gorge closure, and motorists who need to use the alternative routes of the Saddle Rd and the Pahiatua Track, as well as those residents who are experiencing extra traffic flows.
"We understand how vital this route is for the region and how disruptive this closure is but the fact is that the recent slips have significantly changed the rock faces above the road.
"We need to be confident any additional risks that the newly exposed rock might pose for road users are addressed before traffic can return."
