Goodbye peace, get ready for gridlock

By Chris Daniels

The streets of Auckland have returned to normal after their days of Apec peacefulness.

Police and organisers have praised conscientious commuters for keeping off the roads during the conference.

In the event, dire warnings of hour-long queues and motorway paralysis did not eventuate.

Detective Senior Sergeant Allan Boreham said traffic coming into the city over Apec was reduced significantly, which kept disruption to a minimum.

"For that we must congratulate the motoring public who listened to our messages and responded accordingly."

There were more than 1300 motorcade movements over the course of the conference with no serious problems, said Detective Senior Sergeant Boreham.

"More than three years of detailed planning and preparation have ensured the operation progressed without major incident."

With all downtown streets, hotels and carpark buildings open for business once more, it is time for motorists to queue again.