Editorial: Thank goodness I don't live there

Te Ngae Rd needs urgent attention to make traffic flow better. Photo/file

For the 20 years I've lived in Rotorua, I've always been a westie.

It's not by choice, it's just the way it has worked out. Despite living in eight different houses and flats, all have been on the western suburbs of Rotorua.

I've had to put up with the odd comment about how the eastern suburbs are the best, because they are just a hop, skip and jump from the lakes and forest.

But witnessing first hand for the first time the congestion on Te Ngae Rd, my dear eastern friends can keep their suburbs - I'm quite happy where I am.

There's been much more noise made about Te Ngae Rd congestion during the past few months. I've even scoffed a little when hearing people compare it with Auckland traffic woes.

But I have to stop the eye rolling. Last week I ventured east to take my mother to the airport about 8am on a Monday and was aghast at the line of traffic on Te Ngae Rd heading towards the city.

For starters, I didn't think we had that many people living out east. The queue of frustrated drivers was barely moving and didn't end when I turned off at the airport.

Along the way I saw the glum looks on the faces of those stuck in their cars. There were women putting on make up, bored children reading books, teens on their tablets and one man was even out of his car on his phone.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has announced it will hold two information sessions to show residents what options the agency has come up with to help solve the congestion problem.

It's all part of a $24 million roading package for Te Ngae Rd. It will also be used to upgrade State Highway 30/Te Ngae Rd with a new roundabout at the Tarawera Rd intersection and the possible four-laning of a section of Te Ngae Rd.

An agency spokesperson said a short list of options would be shared with the Rotorua community for their feedback at the information sessions.

The sessions are on Wednesday, April 12 from 10am to 1pm at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre and from 4pm to 7pm at Lynmore Primary School hall.

These are important meetings where the dire need for urgent action needs to be passed on.

I hope everyone makes it to the meetings on time.