Courier drivers banned from footpaths

9th March 2010

Courier and security companies have been warned to stop parking on  footpaths and yellow lines in the central business district or face the consequences.

Whangarei Courier Post branch manager Graeme Burnard and other local delivery companies received a letter  about a week ago from the Whangarei District Council's regulatory services manager Grant Couchman regarding parking at the CBD.

The letter  said footpaths were not designed to take the weight of vehicles and would deteriorate quickly if the practice continued.

"Parking wardens ... will issue infringement notices should the practice continue after March 15, 2010."

Infringement notices carry a $40 fine for parking on a footpath and $60 for parking on a yellow line.

 There  had been an agreement  in which store owners in the Mall  had been able to arrange delivery of goods at times in the morning and late afternoon, Mr Couchman said.

The pavement in the Mall  had been  strengthened to allow for this  but   footpath areas
 at the top of Rathbone St by the mall, Rust Ave by the Bank, and Cameron St near Dickens Inn had not.

 Mr Burnard said that meant trade vehicles would have to queue up for loading zones.

"At the end of the day, we'll obey the law but it will probably mean delays in getting goods to shops. In effect, couriers are [CBD shops'] lifeblood, as such. They're ordering things and getting them delivered on a daily basis. Access to the CBD shops is limited at the best of times. Narrow alley ways make it difficult to get our vehicles into. I can understand drivers wanting to get the closest they can get to a shop."

 The council received about three complaints  a week from the public regarding vehicles blocking pedestrian access on public walkways and it had been an issue "for a number of months".

Mr Burnard emphasised the busiest deliveries time was first thing in the morning, well before main foot traffic started.

"We get the work done and move out. He would have preferred the council met with affected parties to discuss the situation.

"I'd like council to just make some rules around it, to give us times when we can access this area. I'd be happy to register a couple of our vans to use it, if that's what it takes.

"Council have vehicles - trucks - which come in and park on the tiles. I can't envisage that they built the Mall with the thought that no vehicle would go in there."