Trucks could be banned from CBD during ‘business hours’

BY GRANT JOHNSTON

Recommendations for the Heart of Te Awamutu CBD upgrade project contain some exciting goals for the town.

One recommendation that is sure to cause consternation in some quarters, as well as joy in others, is removal of heavy through traffic from the central business district during trading hours of 9am-5pm, seven days a week. Waipa District Council’s policy committee was meeting with transport representatives and the Vision Te Awamutu group (which includes Chamber of Commerce, Council and community representatives) to outline proposals and hear feedback as this issue went to press.

Submissions on the Heart of Te Awamutu proposal, including the truck ban bylaw, will be called by Council. And if the bylaw proposal makes it that far, a formal public consultation will also need to be conducted.

There is genuine empathy from most transport operators for the community’s desire to have the trucks and tankers out of Alexandra Street. But at the same time they want a viable alternative before they will direct their drivers away from the CBD. They warned Council yesterday that any movement away from the main street will put them onto residential streets and evoke adverse reactions from residents.

The bylaw is not just for Alexandra Street and would include Mahoe Street and probably Arawata and Sloane Streets. Council has acknowledged that while the Western Arterial would solve many of the problems, it is unlikely to attract Government finding and the cost would have to be met by the community. Its cost means it is unlikely to be a funding priority for many years.

Following workshops and discussions, Council has decided ‘‘to consult on a bylaw to prohibit through heavy commercial vehicular traffic from using the CBD streets’’. Before the bylaw could be implemented, and subject to Transit NZ approval, Council would seek to improve the Mutu Street/ State Highway 3 intersection, to enable trucks to turn south onto SH3 without too much difficulty or long waiting times. This would involve providing space for left and right turn traffic queues. If implemented, the bylaw would be enforced by Council staff.