Rush for beach brings seaside traffic jam
The first official weekend of summer brought warmer than average temperatures to Taranaki - and long traffic delays for motorists at a popular seaside market.
With last summer a dismal ‘washout’ the last week of sun is arguably the most Taranaki residents have felt on their backs in more than a year.
Thousands took advantage by heading to Ngamotu Beach on Sunday, with most going to the Seaside Market while others played beach volleyball, went fishing or paddled a kayak.
The market was so popular traffic in and out of Bayly Rd became jammed up about 11.30am with long queues of cars along Ocean View Parade and St Aubyn St persisting for more than two hours
Police arrived to help direct traffic and control the flow as the queues lengthened, and motorist’s patience shortened.
Senior Constable Grant Kennard said the traffic moved slowly as motorists came out of Bayly Rd onto St Aubyn St
Market organiser Zoe Harris said the market had been as busy on other occasions but there had never been problems with traffic before.
‘‘I think because it was such a beautiful day many people also came down to the beach to swim and fish. It wasn’t just those who arrived for the market.’’
And even though it may have seemed everyone in New Plymouth was at the market, fisherman Craig Bliss, and son Jackson, 11, said the conditions were ideal for a spot of surfcasting at Waiwhakaiho River mouth.
‘‘It’s perfect today, the warmer water is attracting the fish but we are not having much luck catching them,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s just enjoyable being outside.’’
Palmers Garden World New Plymouth manager Martin Thompson said the weather had encouraged people to get out and plant trees and vegetables.
‘‘There is a groundswell of support from people wanting to grow their own food,’’ he said.
The warm, settled weather is expected to continue in most regions through the week ahead, MetService meteorologist Ciaran Doolin said.
A persistent ridge of high pressure showed no sign of abating in the short term, although the above average temperatures may bring thunderstorms to parts of Taranaki.
During the weekend temperatures reached 24 degrees Celsius in South Taranaki, and 23C in New Plymouth.