Costly delays continue in Whangaparaoa

Road works-related holdups on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula are costing the Auckland region a fortune, the Chamber of Commerce said today.

The Chamber estimates the delays are costing tens of millions of dollars a day in lost time and productivity.

The only road into the peninsula is being widened and residents are spending up to four hours each morning trying to get out.

Chamber chief executive Michael Barnett said a solution to the problem needs to be found, whether it is working 24/7, or having a window of time in the morning where traffic can be cleared out.

Some Whangaparaoa residents are taking their frustration at the delays out on road workers.

Workers widening the main road of the peninsula said they had been hit by cars that do not slow down and are being abused by drivers.

One worker said contractors are working from dawn to dusk to get the job done, and through the night when they can.

He asked residents to give the workers a break.

Meanwhile, Rodney District Council said the end of the nightmare is in sight.

Mayor John Law said peninsula residents who have been stuck in the traffic jams should get some relief early next week.

- Newstalk ZB