Months of ‘hideously disruptive’ roadworks

A ‘‘monster project’’ on one of Nelson’s busiest roads will be ‘‘hideously disruptive’’, but the work is necessary, says a Nelson City Council councillor.

The major upgrade to storm water, wastewater and water supply pipes on Rutherford St and Waimea Rd will begin today, lasting 10 months, seeing detours put in place to re-route traffic from the main road.

The work is being undertaken to improve flood resilience in an area of Nelson that experienced severe flooding in 2011.

Council infrastructure committee chairperson Brian McGurk said while it would be ‘‘highly disruptive’’ to businesses, local residents and traffic, there was ‘‘no way around it. It’s a big project and a lot of planning has gone into it.’’

He said the worst of it would last between July and Christmas, ending in April. If the work wasn’t carried out, it would create much more disruption in years to come, he said.

The work, with a budget of $9.8 million, was stage two of an upgrade that was carried out in 2016 between Nelson College and Admiral’s Motor Lodge on Waimea Rd.

‘‘We’re working our way downstream, and this is a continuation of that.

‘‘Getting this right is key for the long-term economic success of our city.

‘‘We need to make sure residents and businesses can thrive; and protect our main routes from the sort of disruption we saw during floods in 2011.’’

The upgrade includes the installation of a 1.8 metre diameter concrete storm water pipe capable of handling a one in 100-year flood event, new road surfacing and new footpaths.

During the roadworks between Snows Hill and Examiner St, a detour will reroute traffic via Van Diemen and Wellington streets.

McGurk said during the ‘‘monster project’’ he encouraged people to support businesses affected by the roadworks, including Century Park Motor Lodge, Chelsea Park Motor Lodge, Admirals Motor Inn, The Hotel Nelson, Earthbloom Flowerstore, and hairdresser Clipper and Scissors.

‘‘The hospitality and accommodation industries have had it tough in the last few years and the council comes along and does this.’’

Two businesses being impacted by parking and the effects of roadworks outside their doors say the communication from contractor Fulton Hogan and the council had been great, but that didn’t stop homeware store Villarosa Maison moving premises.

Owner Frank Best said the heavy machinery and vibration from the works could be detrimental to breakable goods, and dust made it impracti

‘‘Getting this right is key for the longterm economic success of our city.’’ Brian McGurk Nelson City Council infrastructure committee chairperson

cal for the store to remain at its Waimea Rd site.

And he said the biggest impact was losing parking outside the shop.

‘‘It was either take a punt on town or sit up there and have no customers.’’

Villarosa Maison has moved to the former Dowson’s store in Montgomery Square.

But he said the council had done ‘‘the best they could do’’.

‘‘There are consequences for the businesses, consequences for the residents, but it is what it is ... They’ve done a pretty good job so far.’’

Rustic Cuisine cafe remains open on the corner of Rutherford and Wellington streets, but owner Greg Auphan said the ‘‘main problem’’ would be losing parking outside the business.

‘‘There’s nothing we can do. It needs to be done.’’

MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF Interim work began earlier but today 10 months of more extensive roadworks start in Waimea Rd and Rutherford St to improve flood resilience. Waimea Rd will be closed, with a detour directing traffic to Van Diemen and Wellington streets.

Villarosa Maison owners Rosanna Best and Frank Best relocated from their Waimea Rd, Rutherford St intersection site due to the uncertainty over how the works would affect their business.