Reopening an early present
Good news for Coromandel region
The reopening of State Highway 25A by December 20 is an early Christmas present for our region, says Coromandel MP Scott Simpson. “I’m delighted that NZTA has announced repairs to SH25A are well ahead of their schedule and the route is expected to reopen in time for Christmas and summer holidaymakers to visit the Coromandel.
“By the time the highway reopens it will have been 11 long months of disruption, heartache and financial anxiety for our region.
“I was very critical that it took six months for work to get under way, but I couldn’t be happier with the efforts of the contractors and the workers on the ground. To be in a position to reconnect our communities and fully reopen the Coromandel in time for Christmas is only possible because of their professionalism and hard work.
“This year has been brutal for local businesses, but I’m hopeful that the news will be a much-needed boost as they prepare for summer. While the Peninsula has remained accessible, a fully operation SH25A is a signal to the rest of the country, and the world, that we are back in business.
“The dedication and professionalism of the roading crews who made this possible will be remembered with pride for years to come.
“Without SH25A operational, every community around the Peninsula has endured a year of heartache and financial hardship. Businesses have closed, appointments and family occasions have been missed, and people have been mentally strained to their limit. We can’t go back and change what’s happened, but I’m grateful that this pain and uncertainty is nearly over.
“We were already looking forward to enjoying another classic Coromandel summer and a fully reconnected Peninsula will make it all the more sweeter.
“In other news, I just want to congratulate all our senior students who have achieved some fantastic academic results.
“Over the last few weeks, our local secondary schools have been holding their senior prizegivings to acknowledge student achievement. I’ve attended the awards evenings at Waihi College and Paeroa College, which were great occasions to reflect on all the hard work that students put in at school and at home. Anyone who attends these prizegivings will come away far more confident about the future of the country and the world because there are bright and capable young New Zealanders coming through our school system.”