Truck parking in Picton

Overview

Truck parking in Picton is causing concern for its residents, particularly around Nelson Square.  Council has committed to carry out consultation with the Marlborough community on potential options for trucks to park moving forward as the IREX project progresses.

Background

Truck parking in Picton came to the forefront as an issue for Council post the 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake when SH1 was closed for just over 12 months.  With trucks being diverted via the inland route between Christchurch and Picton, this created a backlog of trucks having to park in Picton while waiting to board ferries.

At the time Council was able to obtain funding from central government to build a temporary truck park in Picton which could hold 26 truck and trailer units to help ease the load of trucks parking on the Picton streets.  After SH1 had reopened and a period of time had passed, the temporary Picton truck park was closed and the land leased as it was felt the issue of trucks parking in Picton was reduced as regular traffic was flowing again on SH1.

Since the closure of the temporary truck park in Picton, the issue of trucks parking on the residential streets of Picton has been raised again.  Council has been approached with the issues raised by residents including noise from refrigerated trucks at night keeping residents awake and safety concerns with sight lines being blocked for residential drivers by trucks parking on residential streets.

Council staff have conducted nighttime surveys to confirm the numbers and locations of trucks parking in Picton streets.  Some nights particularly when a ferry is delayed counts have shown over 50 trucks being parked in Picton residential streets.

Staff have had discussions with representatives of Transporting New Zealand which is the representative body for truckers in NZ, to find out what truckers need in terms of suitable truck park areas.  What has resulted from these discussions is that a location where trucks can park which can provide, toilets and showers, a laundry, and a place to have a meal is what truckers are needing.  Transporting New Zealand representatives believe the Riverlands Truck Stop has these facilities in place and have been encouraging their members to use these facilities rather than parking in Picton.  The Riverlands Truck Stop facility currently has parking for circa 30 truck and trailer units.  They also have additional land available which could be developed to cater for further trucks should demand increase at this facility.

Currently Council has no parking enforcement within Picton relating to trucks parking in residential areas.  This consultation is being carried out to ask the Marlborough Community for their thoughts on truck parking in Picton and also to gauge whether a truck parking bylaw is required for Picton to help address the issues that Picton residents are facing currently.

We invite you to participate in this important survey to gather your valuable insights and opinions on the issue of truck parking in Picton, Marlborough. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping future decisions and potential solutions related to truck parking in our town.

This survey aims to understand the concerns and perspectives of the community regarding truck parking, as well as gather suggestions for improvement. We appreciate your time and input, as it will help us address the challenges associated with truck parking and enhance the livability of our town.

Please rest assured that all responses provided in this survey will remain anonymous and confidential. The information collected will be used solely for the purpose of understanding community preferences and developing strategies to tackle the truck parking issue effectively.

Why your views matter

Your participation is vital in ensuring that we gather a comprehensive understanding of the problem and consider diverse perspectives. By taking a few minutes to complete this survey, you will contribute directly to the decision-making process and help us shape a better future for truck parking in Picton.

Thank you in advance for your participation. Your voice matters, and together we can work towards finding effective solutions that benefit the entire community.