‘Petone Beach could rival Oriental Bay’
Rachel Ferrari watches 30,000 vehicles go past her coffee cart on Petone Esplanade every day.
But nobody stops, she says. ‘‘They are scared they will lose their place in the queue.’’
That is why Ferrari supports a call by Labour list MP Ginny Andersen to make the long talkedabout Cross Valley Link a priority.
The proposed route would take traffic off both the Esplanade and Jackson St, and unleash the potential of Petone Beach, Andersen said. It could then become the jewel in the crown for Lower Hutt and could one day rival Oriental Bay.
‘‘It will never develop its full potential whilst it is a main arterial road.’’
Andersen views the Lower Hutt link road as a piece of basic infrastructure and is determined to see it built. She plans to lobby for it to become a regional priority and to work with the council to see it progressed as quickly as possible.
Ferrari agrees with Andersen that the beach has unlimited potential and the key is taking traffic off the Esplanade.
‘‘It would encourage more people to come to Petone Beach, because it really is one of the most under-utilised beaches in Wellington.’’
Petone-based councillor Tui Lewis is a strong supporter of the Cross Valley Link. A long-term resident of Petone, she has seen the amount of traffic using the Esplanade become unpleasant.
‘‘Traffic down there is a killer. It is just not that enjoyable down there.‘‘
Rather than rivalling Oriental Bay, Lewis said its potential was as a recreational beach, for walking, cycling and swimming.
Mayor Ray Wallace supported Andersen’s push for a new road.
‘‘Removing heavy traffic from the Esplanade could change the shape of the area and how it is used in the future.
‘‘I’d love to see more space and park-like surroundings. Places that encourage people to be active and healthy [and] ... spend time together.’’