Editorial: Traffic kicks Bay game into touch

It's a shame Western Bay rugby fans have been robbed of a potential Bay of Plenty Steamers' home game because of something as mundane as traffic congestion.

The 2012 draw was confirmed this week and Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers revealed Tauranga's Baypark Stadium would host three games, and Rotorua International Stadium would host two. It's safe to assume the original draw would probably have been a 4-1 split in Tauranga's favour, based on the larger level of support for the team in the Western Bay. While ITM Cup games in Rotorua usually attract about 6000 fans, games in Tauranga lure crowds of between 8000 and 10,000.

But the demonstrated commitment of Western Bay fans to the Steamers couldn't reverse the fact that the Friday, September 14, game against Auckland was set down for a 6.05pm kick-off.

That slot on a weeknight will cause traffic mayhem at Te Maunga Junction and the Baypark roundabout, as evidenced by shambolic scenes in the past.

It would be mayhem on a provincial level, it has to be said, but unwelcome and unnecessary mayhem all the same.

So the BOPRU has quite rightly elected to move the game, rather than struggle to comply with the Baypark traffic management plan.

Last year, a game against Canterbury was pushed back by two hours to avoid Baypark's traffic woes. The BOPRU requested weekend afternoon kickoffs for all five games, but this slot was granted for just two of them.

The ins and outs of the decision to develop Baypark into a rugby venue over The Domain or Blake Park are well-documented. Baypark was about one-tenth of the cost, for starters.

But how little forethought have this city's elected representatives shown over the years? Did someone say "Harbour Bridge debacle" (let's just build one, even though two will obviously be needed)? What about the staunchly unambitious planning for Baywave, where this city shied away from a 50m pool which could have drawn significant swimming events to the region?

Sure, the TECT Arena is a fantastic facility, there are plans to lay new hockey turfs at the Mount and the athletics track is a top quality all-weather facility capable of hosting major events.

But Baypark Stadium is a dog. It's in an awkward place and the closest seat to the action is about 30m from the ground. It's a speedway, and attempts to sell it as a quality rugby ground will always fall short.

Luckily, the Eastern Link - the new roading project carving through coastal land near Te Puke - includes two features which will help alleviate future gluts at Te Maunga junction.

Traffic originating in Te Puke will be able to access the stadium via a new link to Truman Lane, and those driving from Papamoa will get to the stadium across the same Maungatawa Interchange.

This development will not change the fact the stadium should never have been constructed around a speedway, on a major intersection. But it will hopefully ensure that in the future, rugby fans are not robbed of opportunities to see their team in the Western Bay simply because of after-work traffic.