Large trucks illegally operating on Arrowtown’s main street are continuously damaging historic buildings — however, it appears the situation may be about to improve.
The Gold Shop owner Justin Eden says his building’s been hit multiple times by oversized vehicles in the past 30 years.
That’s resulted in its structural integrity and water tightness being compromised.
‘‘Not to mention the fact it is a very traumatic experience for everyone in the building; it is very similar to a very strong earthquake.’’
The current bylaw prohibits goods service/heavy vehicles over 3000kg entering Buckingham St between 10am and 6pm.
Eden says 7000-10,000kg vehicles are using the street every day, and he’s upset council’s never appeared to take any enforcement action.
He’s had to replace six verandah posts and his guttering, and his insurance company has raised his excess.
Kerry Andrews, co-owner of neighbouring New Orleans, which has a loading zone out side, says they’ve had to replace their guttering about four times in the five years she and her husband have owned the business, and once ‘‘an entire post was hit and cracked and hanging sideways’’.
‘‘It’s not a good look for Arrowtown.’’
Sign says it all: A sign banning large trucks on Arrowtown’s main street, between 10am and 6pm, is regularly ignored
She’s not against trucks using Buckingham St — ‘‘there’ll be an uproar if they don’t deliver’’ — but believes the problem’s caused by driver inattention.
Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association (APBA) manager Nicky Busst notes The Gold Shop and New Orleans are on the narrowest part of the street.
Also, since Covid, ‘‘everyone’s consolidated their vehicles and they’ve all got these big trucks, and because of Arrowtown being out of the loop, they can’t guarantee getting here before [10am]’’.
She shares Eden’s concerns: ‘‘It’s horrific, and it actually caused leaking into the building.
‘‘It’s a really serious issue, and the delivery trucks are not showing accountability.’’
However, she believes progress is being made.
APBA, she says, this week signed off with council the provision of 10 bike racks outside The Gold Shop, which will prevent trucks parking there.
Busst’s also been assured council will now enforce the 3000kg tare weight limit.
Eden, however, is sceptical — ‘‘they’ve been saying it for 30 years’’.
He also doesn’t believe there should still be a loading zone outside the New Orleans — ‘‘the most vulnerable building in Arrowtown’’.
It’ll just keep getting hit, he fears.
