Grant Hammond: Project of great significance to city

Grant Hammond

I was very surprised that the local press recently failed to report on a major recommendation made to the Napier City Council Regulatory Committee.

The meeting held Wednesday, September 7, carried the motion that the detailed design and construction phase of the Marine Parade Realignment project, and approval of funding for the proposed roundabout be accepted by council.

The motion was in fact carried after a couple of minor points were added.

This is a project of great significance to the residents and business operators along Marine Parade and nearby streets, as well as to the greater city in general.

The project covers a couple of major changes to Napier's premier waterfront boulevard. Firstly, a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Vautier St and Marine Parade is constructed, with timing of commencement being March 2017. This is designed to inconvenience as few people as possible.

The second phase includes a trial approach that shifts the main roadway along Marine Parade on to the seaward side of the centre median.

The new roundabout will be crucial to shifting traffic flow, allowing northbound vehicles to swap to the seaward side, slowing vehicles and signalling to motorists that they are entering a more "people-prioritised" environment. This design to "shift" vehicles on to the seaward side will be a permanent design feature. That is a significant change.

The proposal is for carparking to be repositioned to the city side, creating a carparking precinct adjacent to the CBD. It will also allow on cruise ship days, bus overflow parking in the northern section of the parking precinct.

The trial of the realignment will take place over a three-month period, after which the project team will evaluate the findings.

The design and formation of a piazza (the area of road and pavement between the Dome, the Masonic, the MTG and the Soundshell) will be stage 2 of the proposal, and will be dependent upon the findings of stage 1.

All major stakeholders will be consulted throughout the process. This includes business owners, tenants, tourism operators, emergency services and the general public. Port of Napier and Road Transport Association of NZ have been consulted and approve of the trial.

This is part of a long-term strategy to solve the traffic concerns held by many in the area.

Whilst it won't satisfy everyone, I think this is a step in the right direction to finding a sustainable and consultative solution.

I will be following progress with great interest both for myself, and the interests of the Nelson Park Ward residents and business operators.

■ Grant Hammond is a Nelson Park Ward candidate for the upcoming Napier City Council elections.