Long way round for some road users

All vehicle access to properties along Devon Rd between Egmont Rd and Nugent St – including The Links subdivision and the Ngamotu golf course – will be via Bell Block township from 11am today.

That means anyone wishing to access those properties from New Plymouth will have to drive along the new Bell Block bypass, turn on to Nugent St via a new off-ramp, and then head back down Devon Rd. This situation will continue until a new turn-off to the golf course is built in a few weeks – but, even then, the access will be for golfers only.

People living along the road will still have to use the new route through Bell Block.

But even after the golf course entrance is built, all access back on to the bypass will still be via Nugent St, where a traffic roundabout is to be installed.

New Plymouth District Council manager of community assets Anthony Wilson said yesterday the intention was for the section of Devon Rd to become a local road.

"At this stage, we are not sure when that will happen because, naturally with all the work going on, things are all a little bit in limbo out there. But it will happen," he said.

And when the change does take place, what is now Devon Rd will be given a new name. Mr Wilson said a third round of consultation over suggested names was now under way, and the final decision was expected in May.

- © Fairfax NZ News