Letters to the editor: Intersection blockers, new roads, mangrove solutions, Jonathan Hetaraka inspires

At rush hour, drivers often block intersections, a reader claims. Photo / File

Intersection blockers

We are all aware of the traffic congestion on 15th Ave/Turret Rd onwards, especially at peak traffic hours. I know the frustration felt by drivers driving into the CBD. I wish to highlight the anti-blocking rule at intersections which is in the Road Code but which seems to be ignored by or is oblivious to some drivers. It is simple: You must not go into or attempt to cross the intersection unless there is space for your vehicle on the other side of the intersection. On Thursday there was gridlock on the 15th Ave/Cameron Rd intersection. Several drivers saw a green light as go, but did not consider at all if they had space to exit and clear the intersection. With their cars blocking the road no one could move. Gridlock. Please be aware of this rule.
Anthony Page
Avenues

Reasons for roads

Recent letters have criticised the building of the Eastern Arterial Link instead of the Northern Link to Waihi. The Eastern Link is a rare case of infrastructure being built before the development, and usually we applaud such foresight. Tauriko Industrial Estate is reaching the end of the project and the next big industrial estate is at Rangiuru, which will need the road to communicate with the port. In addition, massive amounts of housing is being built in Papamoa East right now and once the interchange is in place, these new residents will be major users of the road even with having to pay a toll. I understand NZTA is slow to develop the northern link because it wants to discourage heavy transport from using SH2 to Auckland. It would prefer all heavy transport to go over the Kaimais to Auckland, a longer route and involving a steep climb using more diesel and road user charges. A four-lane road to Waihi would encourage more heavy transport to use SH2 and then the already dangerous Karangahake Gorge would become a real death trap. It cannot be upgraded, so a whole new road to bypass the gorge would be needed at enormous expense. I think we are stuck with piecemeal improvements to SH2 for the near future at least.
Alan Dickson
Tauranga

Mangrove solutions

Referring to recent letters on the subject, may I challenge the assertions of the proponents of the invasive spread of mangroves, and remind them of the two options available. One: Applaud their spread and let it continue unabated. Two : Place a "line in the sand", and control their spread up to this line only. Most sane people would, I am sure, accept the second option. This option has produced outstanding results for the Matua Estuary Care Group hoeing seedlings outside the "line in the sand" despite, in my opinion, spurious impediments to the consent imposed by mangrove advocates such as restrictions on this activity during the bird nesting season. Given that these same objectors support TCC's efforts at restoring the adjacent swamp by heavy chemical spraying, plus the use of chainsaws and brush cutters right through the year, it seems in my opinion that those same people have double standards or divided loyalties. This swamp is inundated twice daily by the tide, thus those sprays are able to access the harbour. Such activities have displaced the resident banded rails yet Forest & Bird and DoC are supportive of this, despite rails being under threat, according to both websites.
Jim McMaster
Matua

Inspiring story

What a great positive story about Jonathan Hetaraka turning his life around with the inspired help from Rangi Ahipene and the Reconnecting the Disconnected programme. Congratulations to all involved.
Fiona McAllister
Mount Maunganui