Divert heavy trucks from the CBD
The median strip trial should be aborted. Broadway is part of Highway 24. This may have been okay 30 years ago, but traffic now passing through the CBD has reached an unreal level. Couple this with the location of the i-Site/kids skateboard park/rail crossing and its just a matter of when a serious accident will happen.
There are other options. Heavy trucks/ traffic for instance. Massive trucks with as many as 32 wheels, some carry volatile dangerous goods. Why not consider diverting heavy traffic away from Matamata/Broadway.
For instance: heavy traffic leaving the Kaimai veer left and remain on Highway 29 (they do not use Highway 24/direct to Matamata). They continue to Hinuera and turn right towards Matamata (thus join the Tirau/Taupo traffic). They stay on this road till the rail crossing at Burwood/Banks Rd intersection. They then continue along Firth St (like the present Tirau/Taupo traffic already does). When the reach the roundabout adjacent to KFC they enter Highway 28 and continue to their destination.
Heavy traffic travelling the opposite way would follow the same route outlined above towards the Kaimai.
Traffic on Broadway should be significantly less. Light traffic (ie cars) should be more manageable.
Configuration of our roads already allows for a heavy traffic diversion around Matamata so why not do it?
What it needs is appropriate signage at both ends of Highway 24 and the political will of the council.
Response from MPDC:
rates. Broadway is currently part of State Highway 24, making it a common route for heavy traffic.
Council has zoned land for a bypass to be created in future, however, this would be a major infrastructure investment and would need to be done in conjunction with NZTA. We will be seeking feedback from the community early next year on this and other forward planning for our major infrastructure as part of the Our Community Our Future plan.
We know there are a number of issues causing traffic flow problems on Broadway. These include pedestrians, parking, and traffic turning from both the medians and the side streets. We are undertaking the trial closure of two of the medians to see if this helps improve overall traffic flow – however, we don’t expect it to solve all of the traffic flow problems. We encourage people to share their thoughts on the trial at www.mpdc.govt.nz/have-your-say.
Thank you very much for your feedback on this issue. We have received a number of complaints regarding this and appreciate everyone’s opinion on this matter. Again I stress, this is a policy that has been introduced throughout the company. I have passed on any feedback received to my superior, who is now well aware of this town’s opinion on this policy. –
Editor
Teresa Hattan,