Revamp at Paihia's maritime carpark, month of disruption expected

The new carpark layout is intended to improve traffic flow and safety. Image / FNHL

Car parking and bus drop-offs at the Paihia waterfront will be disrupted for a month while the area in front of the town's maritime building is revamped.

From August 20 to September 23 council-owned company Far North Holdings will be changing the layout of the carpark in a bid to improve commercial vehicle flow, improve safety and enhance pedestrian access to the wharf.

Project manager David Penny said the traffic island in the middle of the carpark would be expanded so bus passengers could wait there with their luggage, instead of blocking the footpath along the front of the maritime building.

Two bus shelters would be built and lighting would be improved for better night-time safety.

Once the revamp was completed buses would park on the south (town) side of the traffic island while authorised vehicle parking along the north (waterfront) side of the carpark would allow smaller shuttles to drop off and pick up passengers.

The authorised vehicle parking would convert to public parking in the evenings.

Five new 30-minute public parking spots and a parking space for disabled drivers would be created to replace the six spots taken by the new bus parking area, along with three dedicated taxi parking spaces.

Dedicated goods vehicle parking spaces and loading zones would cater to local businesses and wharf users.

Spaces closest to the foot of the wharf would be staggered to get rid of a pedestrian pinch-point currently impeding access.

Mr Penny said drop-offs and pick-ups would still be possible during construction but use of the carpark would be limited.

Signs would direct drivers to the main carpark off Williams Rd.