Road works outside cafe put extra pressure on eatery
Roading work outside a popular Hamilton eatery is putting extra pressure on the cafe at times when many businesses are already doing it tough.
Hayes Common, in Hamilton East, is facing weeks of roadworks as the city council upgrades the intersection of Jellicoe Drive and Plunket Terrace in an effort to reduce car trips, increase safety and make walking and cycling more attractive.
The Transport Choices project, which will cost a total of $1.2million, is fully funded by the Climate Emergency Response Fund ( CERF) through NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
The budget for the programme was originally $37.12 million for 28 projects, with up to 90% funded by CERF and 10% by the council. However late last year the transport agency told all 46 councils in the programme to identify 10% savings in their projects.
Minister of Transport Simeon Brown later told the city council all projects put on hold at the end of October 2023 would not receive any further funding, while those already allocated could go ahead. Funding was then reallocated from a River Road footpath project to Hayes Paddock after it was approved by NZTA.
The upgrade includes the installation of two raised pedestrian crossings, the relocation of a bus stop, removal of slip lane near Hayes Common and bike parking. It will also allow two-way traffic flow at Plunket Terrace.
It’s the second time in recent years Hayes Common has endured road works outside its popular cafe but owner Lisa Quarrie says they were pleased to see a much different approach from council this time around.
In 2022, owners Lisa and Brent Quarrie were devastated when a major flaw with the pavement on Jellicoe Dr left the eatery in the middle of a council renewals project just as they were hoping for a bumper summer to get them back on their feet post-covid.
The Quarries were upset over the lack of consultation, having been only told about it the week before it started. Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate later conceded the council had “messed up” by scheduling road repairs around Hayes Common during peak season
“We’ve been given a good amount of notice that it was happening. I guess that aside, it’s still… roadworks that are glaringly obvious from the street,” Quarrie said of the current work.
A wall running along the perimeter of the pavement outside the cafe, put up at the suggestion of the council, has been good in terms of noise and dust but customers initially thought Hayes was closed for renovation, she said.
“We did get in touch with them and they were really quick to come down and put up some extra signage. And throughout the process they've been really engaged with us.” But it has come at a quieter than usual time for the business. “We’re in the same boat as everybody else and midweek has really tailed off.
“This wouldn't have had such an impact if it was just business as usual but we’re in a tricky time for everybody.” Weekends remain the cafe’s “saving grace”, she said.
Tough times have meant the couple, who also own Weave Eatery at Innovation Park in Ruakura, have recently trimmed staff numbers and are filling in the gaps themselves when people were away or sick as they had to be “wary of any extra cost”. And while she believes the end result will mean a much safer road, the roadworks were still having an impact on their livelihood.
“It's not that easy coming down the street to figure out what's going on so the more that people realise that we're open and still business as usual on this side of the wall, the better.”
Capital projects director, Kelly Stokes, said council worked with the cafe owners to determine the most appropriate time for the work, which was advised as being post-february.
“We are mindful of the impact that construction may have on the café and have taken steps to minimise this where possible – this includes installing signage nearby to let people know the business is still operating during this time.
“The project team are also doing their best to ensure most of the loud and disruptive works are undertaken on a Monday and Tuesday, which are the days that the cafe is closed.”
“We hope the project will enhance Hayes Paddock’s reputation as Hamilton’s best walkable and recreational neighbourhood destination.”
The upgrade is expected to be completed by June.