Ed Said: Where to from here?

 

At a time when holidaymakers shudder at the inevitable angst brought about by equally inevitable Christmas traffic chaos it was refreshing that, though tiny on a national scale, Mangawhai decided to do something about the local situation.

By turning main shopping area, Wood Street, into a oneway thoroughfare the intention was to give more constant flow and reduce or eliminate the snarlups brought about by two way traffic.

Speaking personally I think the trial has been a success as far as it goes. While there was still willy-nilly parking on side streets, by and large traffic flow was much improved. I was in Wood Street on the morning of Christmas Eve.

I was there again on New Year’s Eve and have been there since and at no time did I see anyone unduly inconvenienced. I did see traffic having to wait a wee while as a large delivery truck backed in beside the Four Square but that’s not uncommon.

I did see a ute come down the wrong way but after a tooting of horns and an apology he turned mid-street and proceeded with the flow – not a major. Mostly what I did see was people, lots and lots of people, especially on New Year’s Eve when I estimated thousands were in town getting food and supplies before heading back to the Northern Bass show.

At ten in the morning there was no chance of a coffee in much less than 40 minutes. Understandable as food orders would take preference. I then went to the golf club cafe, had my coffee delivered in about two minutes and shared the peace and quiet and expansive view with three young ladies from the Northern Bass throng enjoying the same plus their Eggs Bene.

The golf club would have to be the best kept secret in those circumstances. Back to the people in the street. While the oneway system had slowed traffic, many of the public simply wandered willy-nilly across the street without looking for traffic or pausing to let traffic pass first. Sure, two dedicated pedestrian crossings would be beneficial but I still wonder how much difference they would make to the road-sense of the walking traffic.

Firstly it’s a trial. The next thing is to decide on its success or otherwise, then, with this information, what should be the next move. Personally I reckon it could or rather should be permanent. In no time it will simply become an accepted thing. However I accept not all others will share my view.

For one thing signage could be better but that’s easily fixed. On occasions traffic heading north on Molesworth Drive wanting to turn right into Wood Street backed up against the opposing traffic also turning into Wood Street but that will happen in any case short of major reconstruction. As one problem is solved there are invariably adjustments to be made elsewhere.

Rob Pooley, Editor