Once upon a time the word bypass was a dirty word for Levin central business owners. But with traffic congestion becoming an issue and with a bypass planned to start by 2025, has the general mood about town changed?
This week Horowhenua Chronicle knocked on the door of established Levin businesses and asked the owners to share their thoughts.
- Michelle Goldie, By Design
"I've got a foot in both camps. We definitely need the big trucks to bypass town, but because we are so visual the cars will stop at the lights and see the brands and decide to come back later to shop.
"I know for the town it needs to happen, but it's only natural to look at it through your own view. My hope is that there will be easy interchanges into Levin. If it was easy to get in and out - even for local traffic - and it is made attractive, then people will stop and shop."
"When it comes to the heavy traffic I think it's time for a bypass. There are more and more trucks on the road, especially in the last five years. No doubt about it.
"It won't affect our business as such because we serve the local community ... Levin, Foxton, Shannon, Ōtaki. That's our customer base.
"Everyone has always thought when the bypass comes it would be the end of the town, but you would be amazed at how many people will want to stop, especially for their vegetables. They're half the price here than they are in Wellington."
Dave Lyons from Levin Lucky Lotto.
- Dave Lyons, Levin Lucky Lotto
"We definitely need it. The lights go green at one end, and traffic backs up when the lights are red at the other end. The rules say do not enter intersection until the exit is clear. Some cars have to wait while the lights have changed multiple times.
"It will definitely take customers out of town but a lot of people will still come. Levin has a lot of events like sports and other attractions that bring people in, and people still have to do their shopping in town. It can't come soon enough.
"You can't stand in the way of progress"
Isaac Campbell and his father Maurice.
- Maurice Campbell, Clarks Menswear, and Isaac Campbell, Taper Eatery
Maurice: "I accept that in the future we may well need a bypass, but all that is needed at the moment is a connecting road north of Levin between State Highway 1 and State Highway 57. Heavy traffic could then turn off at Kimberley Rd.
"From a business point of view, we would take a hit. I'm keen to see traffic coming through town as long as possible. You only have to look at Ōtaki. Why did all those new businesses not set up in the old township?
"There is as much positivity now as there has ever been in the town. All they need to do is make improvements to the existing roads."
Isaac: "I love traffic. I love customers. Traffic is customers, and you need customers ..."
"More parking. That's what we need the most. It's people's impatience at getting out of a park, or getting a park. One person circled around eight times before they could find a park.
"Years ago they talked about a parking building. But it never happened."
Noodle Canteen manager Alan Young.
- Alan Young, Noodle Canteen
"You are always a little bit worried, as a business owner, because a percentage of your business is people that are coming through.
"There is a little bit of fear there, but I understand if you are not in business it will make travel so much easier. I can see the positives. But like everything, there's pros and cons. It's whether as a business you can accept it.
"Hindsight will be the only way to find out if it is good or bad."
