The developer of Timaru’s newest shopping complex says he has had no complaints about traffic congestion outside the project from authorities or the public, and that they “met all the conditions” stipulated in their source consent.
Tony Gapes comments come after Timaru said Mayor Nigel Bowen pressure had to be put on the developer of The Showgrounds to get work done faster after a warning, it could take a year to clear delays and congestion around development.
Concerns were raised at a Timaru District Council meeting this week, but Gapes, of Redwood Group, said he had heard nothing but good feedback about the center.
“We’ve had only very positive feedback on how good the center’s new Countdown and Stage 1 look,” said Gapes.
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“As you would expect, we’ve had a huge number of people flocking to the center in the last two weeks since opening.”
Frustrated motorists and truck drivers had complained of long delays and safety issues on State Highway 1 since the first business opened March 9 at the development.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency confirmed it had received a number of complaints, and Timaru District Council group infrastructure manager Andrew Dixon confirmed it was also aware of the “massive traffic problems” at the junction.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Traffic congestion on State Highway 1, Timaru, near The Showgrounds development on Wednesday.
Truck drivers have complained of delays of up to 30 minutes getting from Washdyke to Timaru at peak times, while others say traffic was jammed as far north as SH8 – which was 1.5 miles from the junction.
Waka Kotahi warned that it could take a year for the issues to be resolved, and for possible further issues once work resumes.
Gapes said the company had met all the conditions in its source consent.
“However, when introducing a new large traffic generator, such as a shopping centre, there are always some teething problems.
“In the coming weeks, a number of things will happen that should alleviate the current traffic problems.”
He said when the final works in Grants Rd are completed it will reopen “allowing the four-way intersection to operate at full capacity.”
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Traffic near The Showgrounds intersection on Wednesday.
“We have only opened one entrance to the center at the moment, but there will be a second main entrance on Bridge Rd so that all traffic from the north and Jellicoe St can either turn left or go straight on Bridge Rd and enter the centre, making it new intersection will be considerably relieved.”
He said the traffic lights at the intersection were being monitored and “phasing will be fine-tuned by Waka Kotahi over the coming months as they determine the optimal timing of the lights.”
A “huge number” of shoppers had visited the center since it opened, and these numbers were expected to “normalize” in the coming weeks, he said.
On Tuesday, Dixon said he understood that Waka Kotahi would review the crossing next week and that there were options to adjust the signals.
He told the meeting that the municipality is working with Waka Kotahi on a local and regional level, and the next step is to bring it to the national level.