Most politicians have the habit of talking about what they will
do if they become elected but once they are in office the
promises seem to go out the window.
During the last local body elections I was the only Mayoral candidate that put my policies in writing and printed them in a manifesto.
One of my policies was to investigate the building of a toll bridge
across Caroline Bay to link Washdyke with the Port.
The idea is not new as earlier councils have talked about the
concept several times in the past but like many good ideas
in Timaru they never get off the ground.
There are many advantages of the toll bridge idea across the Bay.
It would take away all the heavy traffic from Evans Street and
open up access to Maori Park and Caroline Bay from another angle.
The best part for ratepayers is that the bridge users would be the ones to pay.
Unfortunately this idea is like many of my progressive ideas of
the past it will never be put on a council agenda to be considered.
The Councils latest traffic idea is to widen Evan Street which to me seems only a short term solution. In doing so they will upset all the motels owners on Evans Street and put many of them out of business.
Robin Lee’s letter sat 19th Feb informs us that the information about the Evans Street widening proposal was kept quiet by the council until after the elections. I wonder why?
As a footnote to that letter TDC land Transport Manager Andrew Dixon stated that the traffic on Evans Street and most of the future traffic growth is local Timaru traffic, not through traffic.
Really? could of fooled me.
The Central City retailers should be really pleased about that.
Whatever this council does just remember that if it all turns to custard then you can’t blame the Mayor or the Council because you were the ones that voted them in.
Ron E Bishop
General Manager
Timaru Tourist Promotions Limited
