An airport park-and-ride service is being set up for Queenstown to try to shift cars choking up one of its main roads.
The approach to Queenstown Airport. Photo: Queenstown Airport
Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay has been highlighting the problem of dozens of cars angle-parked along State Highway 6 by airport users, creating an eyesore and a hazard for other motorists.
A petition calling for solutions, sponsored by Mr Barclay, had garnered 2000 signatures.
In November, Frankton Community Association chairperson Glyn Lewers told RNZ that residents thought it was an eyesore.
"They're not happy with how it looks, it's a tourist town and it's pretty much the first thing you see when you get off the plane."
Mr Lewers said the parking along the highway had become worse in the past few months as people had started angle-parking beside the road.
Cars were now backing out into oncoming traffic, which was an accident waiting to happen, he said.
Queenstown's mayor, Jim Boult, said his council was working with the airport to start a park-and-ride service on the other side of the airport, to begin next March or April.
The council has also been working with the New Zealand Transport Agency on a parking plan to remove cars parked on the highway, a roundabout upgrade and a revamped public transport system for the resort town, Mr Boult said.