Port Harbour to Hills run causing congestion concerns

The inaugural Napier Port Harbour to Hills triathlon featured participants such as Tony Lawson (pictured) cycle through congested Napier areas to the rural Tukituki Valley. Photo / File

Questions have been raised about the safety of sporting events held in popular areas in Napier.

On Sunday the inaugural Napier Port Harbour to Hills event featured hundreds swimming, running and cycling through Hawke's Bay.

A 95km cycle leg saw competitors ride along Marine Parade through to the Tukituki Valley, before returning to Napier and running 21km in two laps on the Marine Parade Rotary Club pathways.

However, concerns have been raised about the safety of both race participants, and residents when the routes aligned with already-congested areas.

Napier resident Robyn Dorday said while she supported the increasing number of sport events held in Hawke's Bay, she felt the weekend's event had impacted on her, and could have meant tourists were not able to enjoy Napier's sights.

"I don't understand why they're having them in the busiest parts of Napier, it's a safety issue," she said. "It's not just one or two [events], there seem to be so many of them now".

She said the waterfront, and Napier hill were very congested during weekends anyway, meaning it was not safe for cyclists, or drivers.

So, she queried why the races could not be held outside of Napier CBD, in less congested areas.

As the event was marketed as a "destination triathalon", Napier mayor Bill Dalton said it was a "given" that the on-land routes took participants through recognised Hawke's Bay areas.

"[It] brings the visitors right into the heart of Napier, where most of the retailers and tourism operators are," he said. "It's great to see the buzz that events like this create and we're always extremely proud to show off our gorgeous city".

The traffic management for the event had been managed by Ivan Aplin - who works for a certified traffic management company.

Mr Dalton said Mr Aplin was "vastly" experienced in traffic management for such sporting events, so "we took a look at his traffic management plan and approved it".

When asked what the event brought to Napier, Mr Dalton said it had attracted 400 competitors, 40 per cent of whom were from outside the region.

"It was its first year so we're excited to see how this could grow in the future," he said.
"So yes, we think it's hugely beneficial as one of a raft of economic and tourism drivers for the city that council supports each year".

He said they had not received any complaints about this weekend's event.

"Residents are generally excited to see these types of events in Napier and are generous and accommodating towards visitors".

When asked what the council's threshold would be for complaints received before changes were considered, he said as no complaints had been received this was "not applicable to this discussion".