Town centre bypass to improve costs, environment and safety

freight in New Zealand, were intimidating to other people on the road, including walkers and cyclists.

‘‘You take trucks away from the general traffic of a town, you’re more likely to encourage other transport uses, and parents will feel better about letting their kids downtown to do things, and bike to school.’’

The council’s strategy summary states that few people make an effort to walk to the other side of Stratford because crossing State Highway 3, which intersects the town, is risky and not that easy.

There were downsides to a bypass, including possible impacts on businesses due to less traffic passing by, Leggett said.

‘‘If a town wants to get rid of traffic, which is positive for residents but could be detrimental to businesses, it has to build a compelling story about why people should stop.

‘‘You go into Waitara and all the examples are there.’’

Leggett said Stratford could be the start of a consistent new policy for the heavy transport industry, with a focus on moving heavy traffic from towns around the country.

While a heavy vehicle bypass would primarily be the responsibility of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Transporting NZ’S submission said the council’s strategy could still identify a bypass as an investment opportunity.

Bell Block is the most recent town in Taranaki to be bypassed, with construction finishing in 2010.

Although there were initial fears from business owners that the bypass would turn the area into a ghost town, it now appears that those fears were misplaced, with at least one business reporting that sales recovered within weeks.