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Retailers in Warkworth gave Auckland Transport (AT) an ear full at a meeting organised by One Warkworth Business Association at The Bridgehouse last night.
Without exception, those present said the partial closure of Elizabeth Street, as part of a three-month trial to improve congestion at the Hill Street intersection, was having a severe affect on businesses throughout Warkworth.
This included New World, Chocolate Brown, Savans Bakery, Not Just Hats, Juggles Boutique, Warkworth Menswear and Artisan Brown Hair Design, as well as most businesses along Elizabeth Street.
The trial started on November 1 without consultation.
Several business owners said that if they had at least had some notice of the change, they could have organised some mitigating promotions.
Brad Maker, whose wife owns Katya Maker boutique, said closure of the shop was on the cards.
“Our trade is down 20 per cent in what should be the busiest time of year for us,” he said. “Summer is when small local shops make their money to survive. What you’ve done is direct traffic away from Warkworth to The Grange.”
Retailers said a lot of Warkworth’s trade came from the north and the barrier was as much psychological as physical.
“People don’t want to go past Warkworth to come back in to Warkworth,” one retailer said.
Real estate agent Ben Kloppers believed there would be long-term effects, which would get worse the longer the trial ran.
“The damage has possibly already been done. When people change their habits, it will be very hard to get that trade back,” he said.
Liz Bayes, of Warkworth Lodge, said walk-in reservations had virtually stopped since the trial started.
“That’s not just a loss for us, but the money the guests might have spent in town on meals and other things is also gone,” she said.
Vet Ross Lynch said it was reprehensible that AT should cut off one of only two entrances into the town.
It appears AT was unmoved by the comments. The organisation this morning issued the following statement:
“AT is aware of the impact the trial has had on some segments of the community.
“We are continuing to obtain valuable data regarding traffic volume and movements, and a decision to reduce the length of the trial will only be made once a comprehensive assessment of the trial’s impact on traffic safety and congestion has been completed.”
