Road closure opens debate

• By Jim Birchall

Frustration is mounting among Franklin locals in the Beachlands/Maraetai area as the closure of a major thoroughfare has been extended yet again.

Courtney Clarke, owner of Mayfair Pools and Spas, says the closure of Maraetai Coast Road is having a daily impact on his business.

Uncertainty concerning reopening dates and inconsistency regarding signage are some of the biggest issues.

“It was meant to be [reopened in] June and now we don’t really know what’s happening with it. We’re getting mixed information on the grapevine,” Clarke told the Times.

“Sometimes the signs say: ‘Road Closed’ when it’s not. So, you just have to take your chances and sometimes it works, sometimes it’s closed, sometimes it’s not. Such unreliable information is probably the worst part about the whole deal.”

The road was expected to reopen on June 21, but it will now remain closed until at least August 14 as Vector completes underground powerline works and Auckland Transport (AT) carries out road repairs and stabilisation work.

Vector says significant progress has been made on the undergrounding project with most sections now complete and work focused on the final stretch.

At AT’s request, the extended closure period is allowing for remaining undergrounding works and road maintenance to be completed.

“Completing both activities within the existing closure period helps avoid the need for additional road closures and further disruption to the community later,” a statement from Vector reads.

However, patience among some locals is wearing thin.

The closure affects a key route between Maraetai and Clevedon, requiring motorists to take lengthy detours via Whitford.

Although Clarke’s team has been able to travel before the road closes at 7am, but the return trip has become increasingly difficult.

“Our workers are all based in Maraetai and our yard is in Clevedon. There’s five of us and three work vans – we use this road every day,” he adds.

“When we’re coming home, we have to go back to the yard, then all the way through Whitford, which is quite congested as well. It all adds up to quite a lot of time, money and fuel used as well as frustration.”

The Maraetai Coast Road project is part of Vector’s wider Beachlands undergrounding programme, an upgrade that will see nearly 15 kilometres of overhead electricity lines removed and run underground.

The Beachlands project covers 16 streets over a combined length of 13.7 kilometres. Beginning in October 2024, it is expected to be complete by September.

According to Vector, the area was selected based on the age and condition of electricity infrastructure, the number of people who would benefit and opportunities to coordinate work alongside fibre and other infrastructure upgrades.

While motorists will have to deal with diversions for now, regardless of their frustration, pedestrian and cyclist access will continue throughout the closure.