The impact of traffic congestion

With the Western Bay of Plenty seriously short of transport infrastucture, the attention during the last few weeks has rightly been on the roads that we desperately need be built to ease congestion, move freight and free up land for housing.

While we need to catch-up on the roads that cater for current and future growth in our region, it’s also very clear that solely building roads for private motor vehicles won’t be enough – we need to use the roads that we have in a better way. For various reasons, we are a city that uses cars more than we should. ere are some very practical reasons for this – we have a distributed workforce, a spread out city and other commitments like children, sports etc. While those reasons are understandable, it doesn’t mean we can ignore the way we use our transport system – we all need to do our bit to get better outcomes.

e best way to do this is to make changes to our habits, reducing car-based travel and therefore the volume of tra c on the roads and, critically, at peak times. is is a very clear imperative, many cities and regions in the world are trying to make their transport systems more e cient.

At Priority One, we are keen for the business community and their sta to take the lead on trades & services

‘mode shift’. Transport congestion a ects businesses in a number of ways, from parking for sta to reduced productivity for freight, so businesses have a vested interest in making our transport system more e cient. So, earlier in the month we launched the Shift Hub, in collaboration with partners, a pop-up showcase of many alternative, more sustainable transport modes available to change our region’s travel habits – this includes e-bikes, e-motorbikes, public transport (bus), car share, e-scooters, e-mopeds, e-skateboards, rideshare, walking and cycling.

Clearly, if shifting the way we travel was easy, we would see a large amount of people doing it already, so we need to better understand commuter habits, barriers and needs. A key theme of the Shift Hub is to work with commuters to capture data on how they travel, to understand opportunities to shift and educate on options available.

Information collected throughout July via the Shift Hub will be shared with local government to help inform decisions on our regions infrastructure. Being willing to change is a key part of better outcomes for the whole community. We’re calling on local businesses to play an active role in this change so we can have a more e cient and sustainable transport system for everyone.

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Funeral Services

Public Notices

BAYPARK TO BAYFAIR LINK

OVERNIGHT CLOSURE OF MAUNGANUI ROAD

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency wishes to advise that Maunganui Road northbound (between Exeter Street and Concord Avenue) will be closed overnight from Sunday 23 July to Thursday 27 July (approximately 7pm to 6am each night).

During these hours, the following signposted detours will apply: welcome bay

For Maunganui Road northbound between Exeter Street and Bayfair roundabout – detour via the Bayfair flyover, SH2 north, the Golf Road roundabout and SH2/Maunganui Road south.

• For light vehicles travelling Maunganui Road northbound between Bayfair roundabout and Concord Avenue – detour via Girven Road, Oceanbeach Road and Golf Road. Vehicles over 12m long will be permitted entry through the closure at the Bayfair roundabout.

In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the closures may be moved to the next suitable night/s. Waka Kotahi thanks road users and local residents for their patience.

ACHILLES CRESCENT Sunday 23

July 8:30am, Crockery, plants/pots, handyman/gardening stu , shing gear and more.

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AC PETFOODS collect injured & unwanted cows & horses. Ph 0800 369 6269 lost & found

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HANDYMAN, decks, fencing repairs, painting, water blasting, lawns, and odd jobs. Free quotes Ph Rossco 027 270 3313

ROOF REPAIRS Free quotes for all maintenance of leaking roofs, gutter cleaning & repairs. Chimney maintenance & repairs. Registered roofer, 30yrs exp. Ph Peter 542 4291 or 027 436 7740

TREE, SHRUB and hedges trimming, topping, rubbish, palm pruning or removal, satisfaction guaranteed free quote. Ph Steve Hockly 027 498 1857 travel & tours

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ZEALANDIER TOURS Wednesday

26th July – Mid-Winter Christmas Lunch – Due to popular demand, we are running a 2nd vehicle! A 3 course traditional Xmas lunch, including a visit from Santa. Still a couple of seats available. Ph 572 4118 to book yours.