Boulders blamed for huge increase in illegal parking in Bay of Plenty town
A shop owner in Ōpōtiki claims that the removal of street parking for a town revitalisation project has led to an increase in illegal parking on footpaths. Despite the installation of boulders to prevent this, shoppers and even council contractors continue to park on the sidewalk for convenience.
Why it matters
It highlights the ongoing tension between urban design goals like pedestrian-friendly spaces and the practical needs of local businesses and residents.
An Ōpōtiki shop owner says the removal of six parking spaces on the town's main shopping street has resulted in people parking on the footpath instead.
The carparks were removed two years ago, as part of Ōpōtiki District Council's town centre revitalisation project.
With the aim of creating a safer, more accessible, aesthetic and pedestrian-friendly town centre, the Church Street improvements included a raised hump with a paving stone surface to slow traffic.
Ten large boulders have been placed where the parking spaces were to act as bollards, however, they have not prevented people parking outside the stores.
Ōpōtiki Four Square owner Lance Paltridge said since the removal of the parking spaces he had seen a huge increase in illegal parking on the footpath.
He said businesses that were already struggling were suffering further from there being fewer parking spaces nearby.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in