Mixed views on Te Puke upgrade

Wednesday, 6 September 2017

Mixed opinions to Te Puke's main street upgrade were expressed by around 100 people attending Western Bay of Plenty District Council's public meeting last week.

The meeting was held to share results of two town centre surveys and to gauge reaction to the town centre upgrade.

Key Research provided an overview of the Council commissioned survey and Te Puke retailer Murray Holyoake presented findings of an independent survey representing Te Puke Business Strategies.

A call was made for Te Puke town to have its own identifying landmark - such as a kiwifruit icon to put it on the map as the Kiwifruit capital of the world, similar to the cow in Morrinsville and the carrot in Ohakune.

Positive reactions to the upgrade reflected on how much safer the town was due to the slowing of traffic; smoother traffic flow through town; the ability to reverse safely from the car parks and improved safety as a result of the roundabouts at Oxford Street and No 3 and Quarry roads.

Aspects of the upgrade causing concern included reduced parking; slowing of traffic flow through town; safety concerns for elderly and children using pedestrian crossings due to wooden upright barriers blocking the view of motorists; a dislike of the landscaping; double laning into the roundabouts encouraging overtaking and a request for roundabouts at Cameron Road and No 1 Road.

Mayor Garry Webber chaired the meeting and said the feedback was valuable and highlighted some areas where Council may re-address aspects of the design.

We welcome the feedback and take on board comments about what works and what doesn't work. We will certainly review the issues raised at the meeting and in the survey and see what we can do. However, it was pleasing to hear positive reactions from a good proportion of those at the meeting who like the changes and believe they have made the town safer and easier to get around.''

The upgrade involved single laning through the town centre, more pedestrian crossings, improved footpaths, better traffic sight lines for pedestrians and enhancement of the landscaping. The Town Centre Project Control Group will be meeting and advising on any corrective actions.