Red and green light for pedestrian street trial

Business owners in Matamata have split opinions over a six-month pedestrian friendly street trial, with some saying the changes have slowed down customer numbers but heightened traffic congestion.

In December, Matamata’s Hetana St was converted into a one-way street in a bid to ease congestion and make it pedestrianfriendly.

A handful of car parks were removed – leaving 74 parks – to allow for curb widening, a crossing and additional mobility parking.

It’s a busy little thoroughfare – lined with shops, a Hobbit-themed i-SITE and a reserve – but over time it has become a hazard to passing traffic. At times close to 3000 vehicles would drive up and down it every day.

When Stuff visited, business owners on Hetana and neighbouring Arawa street were neither overwhelmingly for nor against the one-way trial. The main concerns, however, centred around parking and traffic congestion.

The front door to Gloss Beauty Boutique opens directly onto Hetana St, and director, Lisa Van Dyk said customers haven’t had one good thing to say about the changes.

‘‘We haven’t had any clients who are for it,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s created no more parks, and we need more parks in Matamata.’’

There were a lot fewer people in the store when Hetana St was closed in late April for trial improvements, she said. ‘‘Business was deeply impacted.’’ The courier is now delivering parcels to Van Dyk’s home because there are no loading bays outside the shop.

The boutique’s administrator, Kimberley Swap, saw a lady drive down the wrong way.

‘‘She nearly took me out,’’ Swap said. ‘‘The trial is congesting traffic in Arawa St and Broadway. It’s already so busy.’’

At the beginning of the trial, the Matamata-Piako District Council trialled a north to south traffic flow, meaning traffic could only enter from Broadway. But following overwhelming support for a direction change, the decision was reversed.

Regardless of the direction of traffic, customer numbers dropped at Arawa street’s surf shop.

Backdoor manager Krista Roberts said staff that normally park on Hetana St were parking along Arawa St, taking up customer parks.

‘‘I personally know that my customers won’t stop in if there are no parks,’’ Roberts said.

During Stuff’s visit – mid-morning on Wednesday – ample parking spots were accessible on Hetana St.

But Matamata councillor Kevin Tappin said it was never about the parking, it was for the pedestrians.

‘‘Some like it a lot – in particular with the speed bumps that slow traffic down – but others think the south to north direction is affecting business because they have to go around the block,’’ Tappin said.

‘‘It will be interesting what impact it has on other pressure points in town, like the clock roundabout.

‘‘There were always lines of traffic, even before the trial.’’

Sonya Church at Shed Boutique on Arawa St has no issue with the one-way street but says doing up the backdoor before you do up the front door is silly.

Customer numbers haven’t dropped, in fact, it’s been busier.

‘‘I’m all for improvement, but is it improvements if constituents aren’t asking for it? Church said.

Council has over $491,000 to use before June 2021 after it received a grant from Waka Kotahi through its Innovating Streets Programme. All projects were 90 per cent funded by the agency to encourage councils to invest in walking and cycling.

There were 41 councils around the country working on similar projects under the Government’s initiative.