Tauranga mayor concedes Greerton issue 'worse than thought'

Greerton traffic issues. Photo / File

Tauranga's Mayor says traffic issues in Greerton are worse than he realised after spending a morning in the suburb talking to retailers ahead of a meeting today. Mayor Greg Brownless joined the Bay of Plenty Times on a walkthrough of the Greerton shopping area around 8am yesterday , talking to people affected by a downturn in business. Many blamed council-imposed changes to the traffic system for the hit.

A community petition calling for remedial work will be presented to the council from 1pm this afternoon. Brownless said it was impossible to please everyone when it came to transportation matters but, after speaking with retailers, he felt the situation in Greerton was worse than previously described to elected members.

Retailers told him the establishment of a controlled pedestrian crossing on the fringe of the Chadwick Rd and Cameron Rd roundabout was their number one concern.

"The pedestrian crossing really seems to be the main problem," Brownless said.

"But I'm not sure [relocating it] that's enough."

Congestion and a lack of foot traffic were other issues also highlighted to the mayor by retailers. While at the shopping centre, Brownless witnessed northbound traffic backed up to Barkes Corner.

Last week, council's acting general manager of infrastructure Martin Parkes said the works were aimed at improving safety, not necessarily traffic congestion.

"This major design work was done to address community concerns about the importance of retaining the 'village feel' and improving safety within Greerton village," Parkes said.

Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless says traffic issues in Greerton are worse than he thought. Photo / file

However, the council was closely monitoring the project's performance, he said.

Sarah McDiarmid from Cafe Essence on Cameron Rd said the crossing's proximity to the roundabout appeared to catch a lot of motorists unaware, with many travelling too fast then slamming on their brakes at the last minute.

"Nobody knows what they are doing.

"Somebody is going to get hurt, definitely."

The McDiarmids said people now avoided the area.

Belinda Sands at Greerton Lotto shop told Brownless: "People just don't want to get out of their cars."

Kerry Amer from Greerton Barber said removing the double lanes was a mistake and asked the mayor: "Whose idea was it to come up with this? Was this Auckland or something?"

Brownless explained there were engineers involved and that he and councillors had been assured congestion would not be any worse "but I think it is worse".

As the men spoke, cars caught in a traffic jam on Cameron Rd began tooting at a bus which had stopped on signal at the pedestrian crossing.

"It's definitely worse," Brownless said.

Mohammed Zaber, of Colorado Dairy, told Brownless he could not see the point of the roadworks which created more congestion and less foot traffic.

Each retailer said they were interested in attending today's meeting.

Brownless left the dairy saying he was glad to have heard the concerns from retailers first hand, shortly before breaking out into a light run towards the pedestrian crossing which had just been activated.

Gesturing to the waiting queue of vehicles he said: "I don't want these people to get more annoyed waiting."

Greerton roadworks timeline

The council began consultation with Greerton residents and retailers in November 2015. In July 2017 a review of designs were established. In July 2017 community information sessions began with community feedback results in August 2017. In October 2017, iwi was consulted and in April 2018 a letter with a works map was delivered to businesses and work began. Works were originally planned to begin in July 2016 but was delayed due to significant revision following November 2015 consultation and feedback from the community.