CAMBRIDGE NEWS | 1
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Celebrating Life - Your Way
Jim Goddin JP Funeral Director
Grinter’s Funeral Home are dedicated to providing personalised and meaningful funeral services, as unique as the life you are celebrating. 07 827 6037
3 Hallys Lane, Cambridge office@grinters.co.nz www.grinters.co.nz
FREE
Follow us on Facebook
It’s a real newspaper
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Pressure ramps up By Mary Anne Gill
Louise Upston’s influence in the National Party has borne fruit for her electorate with the announcement the 16km Cambridge to Piarere stretch is back on as a national road of significance. Now business leaders want her to use that clout again by getting on/off ramps at Tirau Road – just past the Cambridge Golf Club – built into the design. Transport minister Simeon Brown joined Upston, other National Party MPs and mayors – Matamata-Piako’s Adrienne Wilcock and Susan O’Regan of Waipā - at Piarere to turn the sods for a $43.5 million roundabout at the intersection of SH1 and SH29 last week. The roundabout was planned under the previous government and approved after an Environment Court decision gave Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency the go-ahead to build a 60-metre diameter roundabout in preference to a flyover. Less than five minutes into the ceremony last week Waka Kotahi said the roundabout design had been “future proofed” so it would fit long term into anything else planned. Brown was quick to add that it was back on as a road of national significance and “I can’t wait to come here and open it”. Cambridge Chamber of Commerce chief executive Kelly Bouzaid, who was not invited to the ceremony, has since written to Upston to congratulate her and lobby for the on/off ramps. The News kick started discussion over the on/off ramps solution as a short term fix more than two years ago and it was quickly picked up by the chamber and other business leaders. We argued the ramps would allow Leamington commuters to join the Expressway from Fergusson (Low Level) Bridge to head north and return the same way, taking thousands of cars out of Cambridge CBD. Waka Kotahi responded that it would not be cost effective and the Victoria Road interchange
We say…
Piarere is getting a roundabout and the expressway is being extended – now let’s get the off ramps situation sorted. provided north and south bound connections. Wilcock said the roundabout at Piarere would be a life saver and a huge benefit for MatamataPiako. “I know people who will work from home instead of travelling to work to use this T intersection. The queues are just too much. “It’s all about safety and flow and we look forward to that.” O’Regan said while the roundabout would be in the Matamata-Piako district, any significant roading infrastructure on the outskirts of Waipā and South Waikato districts was “really heartening”. She applauded the decision to have the Cambridge to Piarere stretch back on as a nationally significant project. “That will obviously receive support from this government and that’s something we have been lobbying for.” Waka Kotahi Regional Relationships director David Speirs told The News it was not “just another roundabout.” It was the least safe part of SH1 in the country and was “absolutely critical” given the huge demand from the Ruakura inland and Tauranga ports. There will be no visible change for six months while Downer Construction builds the roundabout away from the current traffic flow – about 30,000 vehicles a day, 16 per cent of it freight - in a paddock next to SH1 and SH29. Workers will build the approaches first and construct a cycleway under the roundabout before completing the road in two years. It will deliberately be large to support traffic flow allowing cars to enter at 90kms an hour, said Speirs.
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan and transport minister Simeon Brown discuss roading plans. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
We provide our clients with professional accounting and business advice at an affordable price.
OPEN 7 DAYS Located at 41 Empire Street 07 827 7099 www.cambridgevets.co.nz
Natasha Waters
Karen Whitake r
Call us today for a free initial consultation to discuss your business or personal accounting needs.
Phone: (07) 827 6486 or Visit: 22-24 Victoria Street, Cambridge Email: admin@waterswhitaker.co.nz
“We’re collecting water in the shower while it heats up. Great way to hydrate the veggie patch without using extra water!”
Luke, Hamilton For water savings tips visit
smartwater.org.nz