Editorial: Signs not so clear

Motorists can be confused people at the best of times. The last thing they need is change that's not clearly mapped out.

I'm referring to the new Redwood Centre at Lynmore.

It's a superb new complex and the locals are raving about it. For those who have set up shop, I'm hearing business is thriving.

I've never bought into the argument this new centre spells bad news for our supposedly dying CBD. Sure, a couple of local businesses (Kiwibikes and Burger Fuel) have moved from the central city to Lynmore but the complex has more importantly attracted more businesses that weren't in Rotorua before.

That's not the issue.

The problem is getting there - in one piece.

Heading from the western (or city) side of Te Ngae Rd, many motorists are getting confused about where the actual main entrance is. They are hanging a right at the roundabout and heading up Tarawera Rd only to be confronted with a no right turn sign into the complex.

This is where things get dodgy.

They are either ignoring the sign and turning right anyway or are heading further up Tarawera Rd and making dangerous u-turns.

Those annoyed by the no right turn signs are presumably taking the law into their own hands and are pushing down the arrow signs in protest.

The complex's developer, Tony Bradley, tells us Tarawera Rd was never meant to be the main entrance. It's supposed to be on Te Ngae Rd - meaning if you're coming from the city you are to turn 180 degrees at the roundabout and come back the way you came to the main entrance.

Yes, this is confusing at first but once Mr Bradley gets his bigger and clearer signage up and once more locals start getting the hang of it, hopefully all the madness will settle down - before there's a nasty crash.