SILENT NIGHT
Just reading the Conversation page in the Western Leader and the bread delivery comment about bread not being delivered before 9am at the Te Atatu Peninsula Countdown because of a resident’s complaint. Residents’ houses aren’t even that close to Countdown. My family have lived behind a small block of shops in Henderson for the past 10 months and there is a driveway between the back of the shops and a row of houses. We have not had a decent night’s sleep since. The shops shut early so we thought there would be no noise. Boy, were we wrong! During the night there are deliveries, emptying of rubbish bins and skips from about 3am. Then we get woken at 6am every morning by the mini mart owner opening his storage containers that are right next to our back fence and bedrooms. In these containers is refrigeration which makes a loud humming noise night and day. Then out comes his noisy hand trolley with what sounds like metal wheels. Can you imagine how that driveway echoes every single noise? Then the cafe starts with the music, loud voices and the bang, bang, bang while they make the coffee. I contacted the council and got zilch. Seems like money rules at the expense of the residents. It took ages to find the rental property that we are in, since my husband had a stroke. Now we will be forced to find somewhere quieter to live, which will be more expensive and cost even more to move. But we will be forced to stick it out here for now as I have fractured my leg and won’t be able to do anything for a while. A little common decency towards neighbours would go a long way. K YOUNG
Henderson
MOTORWAY OR WHERE?
I have received plenty of community feedback on the proposal to toll our existing motorways in Auckland after the expiry of the interim transport levy, and there has been a groundswell of concern in the west. Many of our residents question how this will impact us, as large swathes of our community have no option but to use the motorways for work. I have to say that as the transport lead for the local board in Henderson-Massey I have always had concerns for this proposal. There can be no illusions, investment will be needed to keep our city moving. Historic underinvestment has led us down this path, starting with the ripping up of the tram tracks and the destruction of Mayor Robbie’s dream of modern transport that serves our city well. Today, large swathes of Auckland, such as the North-West, do not have access to trains or a busway, and thus have more limited options in getting around. Because of the lack of alternative transport options, people are spending too many hours on Don Buck Rd and Te Atatu Rd stuck in traffic rather than spending that time with their family. And for these residents, with no other real options but to use the motorways for work, hitting them with the lion’s share of costs through a motorway toll would be unfair.
If alternative sources of funding need to be found, I would suggest that a regional fuel tax is a fairer method of distributing the burden across the city equitably, so that we can all contribute our fair share to enjoy a modern transport network that works for us.
SHANE HENDERSON Deputy chairperson Henderson-Massey
Local Board
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit and abridge. Opinions must be genuinely held by the letter writer. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Mail: Western Leader, PO Box 21-167, Henderson. Email: edwl@snl.co.nz or fax: 09 836 9309.