Newmarket viaduct closure misrepresented

Advertising for Newmarket viaduct closure misrepresentative

The New Zealand Transport Agency’s mass-marketing campaign that SH1 southbound over the Newmarket Viaduct will be closed from “4-5” September is misrepresentative, causing confusion, and will cost business, says the head of the Newmarket Business Association.

“All NZTA’s advertising suggests the closure is an all weekend affair. The reality is the SH1 southbound will be open all day Saturday until 5pm. It’s causing a lot of confusion out there and is unnecessarily putting people off coming to Newmarket for the entire weekend,” says Newmarket Business Association chief executive, Cameron Brewer.

“Yes we accept it’s all day Sunday, but to suggest it’s also all day on Saturday is just plain wrong. It will inconvenience people and cost businesses dearly. We want to get the message out that it’s business as usual on Saturday until 5pm."

Mr Brewer says that the business association is also keen to get the message out that even though Sunday’s going to be very problematic with southbound motorway traffic set to be diverted down Mortimer Pass and back on at St Mark’s on-ramp, Newmarket is none the less open for business.

“There are many roads leading to Newmarket and our businesses will be pleased to see families on Father’s Day. What’s more ARTA is putting on free trains on Saturday night and all day Sunday. What a great way to try out our new railway station,” says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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