For years Matapihi residents have been forced to use the Bayfair roundabout as their only entry and exit point to the peninsula.

Now one man is asking why their concerns seemed to have been overlooked or ignored by Tauranga City Council.

Mike Kuipers von Lande with other Matapihi residents concerned about access to the peninsula.

Mike Kuipers von Lande says many residents worry if a train or a crash blocks the Matapihi Road entrance, emergency services could be hindered from attending incidents in the area.

'Concerns about emergency access into Matapihi have been voiced to Council since at least the 1990's,” says Mike.

'As far as I am aware nothing has ever been done to address this issue.”

Mike has experienced blockages in the past where trains have halted across the road for reasons unknown.

He believes a practical access way that can be opened immediately in such situations is needed urgently.

It would need to cross the rail line well away from the Bayfair intersection to ensure access past any North or Southbound train that may be blocking the line, he says.

Tauranga City Council communications manager Frank Begley says TCC is not aware of the issue ever being raised formally in the last 10 years.

There are no current projects on Council's books to create a second entry road into Matapihi, he says.

The response upsets Mike who says a formal submission may not have been made but the issue has still been brought up.

He claims in the last five years his mother-in-law raised it informally with Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall.

Mike's spoken to former councillor David Stuart, and current councillor Rick Curach lives in the area too.

Matapihi residents attending NZ Transport Agency meetings regarding the Baypark to Bayfair Link Upgrade Project last year also raised the issue, he says.

'I don't know if there have been any ‘formal' submissions. The reality is people expect Council and its representatives to listen to verbally expressed concerns and take action.

'If they fail to take action it is assumed that they did not think the concern valid.”

Mt Maunganui/Papamoa councillor Steve Morris is aware of Matapihi locals' concerns around access to the peninsula.

It's been raised with him personally because he has knocked on every door in the area while campaigning, he says.

'But it is an issue that other parts of town also face, for example, Papamoa East where there are 4000 people living with one road in and out.”

Papamoa East is being remedied with the construction of Te Akaroa Drive costing about '$20 million of expenditure that will be largely paid for by new subdivision developers”.

Steve says the new link upgrade project, involving two flyovers, will greatly help reduce traffic congestion in and around the Bayfair roundabout.

But to be realistic there is not much Council can do financially to put in a new road into Matapihi, he says.

'However, there is access for emergency services via a gravel road through the airport and behind the Omanu Golf Course. Emergency services still have access.

'The flyover project is really crucial, it will make an absolute difference to the area.”

Steve says if Matapihi locals are still concerned and want to raise the issue formally with TCC he is 'very happy to hear from them”.

Residents can contact local ward councillors Clayton Mitchell or Steve Morris, or request to speak in the public forum section of a council meeting by calling TCC to book in a suitable time.

Correspondence by letter, phone or email will also be accepted and the request would be formally logged with council, who will respond.

Otherwise, the issue can be raised through the Long Term Plan by making a formal submission on the subject.