Editorial: Closed gorge lamentable for all

The closure of the gorge is the bookend to many happy traveling memories. Photo / File

The April slip that temporarily closed the Manawatu Gorge has proved to be the straw the broke the camel's back.

The New Zealand Transport Agency delivered the dreaded news on Friday that a large area above the Kerry's Wall rock face was not just moving but accelerating.

Seems the last trip we all took through the gorge looks likely to be the last; the Saddle Rd alternative has been promoted from "bypass" to main trunk.

Thing is, anyone who has travelled there recently will know how busy it has become as a consequence - and how unsuitable it is for the intensive long-term volume of traffic it now hosts.

The Pahiatua Track through Balance is an even less suitable alternative.

This rocky disaster has turned into a financial disaster for many businesses, particularly those directly affected in the town of Woodville.

Known formerly as The Junction due to its position as the road and rail pivot between Wairarapa, Manawatū and Hawke's Bay, ironically Woodville is now paying the price for a once lucrative location.

Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith estimates his city may be losing $60,000 a day in lost business. The figure on this side of the gorge is possibly no healthier.

But what we're also eulogising is a landmark that had cultural, historical and geological significance. It was the one stretch where the kids went silent, in awe of the army-green bush extending into the heavens on both flanks.

This is more than just being cut off at the pass; it's about losing a fondly travelled landmark.