A Tauranga City Council plan to turn a central city business street into a one way route has been met with approval by business owners.

Tauranga City Council transportation manager Martin Parkes says the council has been reviewing traffic and safety matters associated with McLean St and is proposing changes to the road and parking layouts.

The Strand Motel owner Alan Andrew says he is all for the new proposal for McLean St. Photo: Greg Taipari.

'Economic growth in the city centre is putting pressure on existing parking facilities. We have been looking at ways to better manage existing parking and options to provide new spaces.”

Martin says parking on McLean St is well utilised throughout the course of the day.

'However, a reconfiguration of existing parking and the introduction of a one-way system, in part, will give us the opportunity to install additional carpark spaces.”

The proposal will see 23 additional carparks on McLean St between Cameron Rd and The Strand.

Business owners and occupiers on McLean St have been asked for feedback on the proposal.

The Strand Motel owner Alan Andrews has operated his business located on the corner of The Strand and McLean streets for seven years.

He's all for the proposal because it will improve road safety in the area.

'I think it's a good idea. Sometimes at night the hoons are out and about and that intersection there [The Strand and McLean St] is almost lethal. They do all sorts of things around here. By making it one-way it's going to help that a lot.”

Alan says often drivers speed around the Harrington St and The Strand roundabout and race up McLean St.

'Through the day it's not too bad. They understand you have to be a little bit careful. If it's driven like most people use it, it's not a problem. But as soon as someone gets a bit of speed up, there's going to be trouble.”

Alan says the only issue he has with the extra parking is there are already tourists using the free parking for freedom camping.

Autocraft Central owner Steve O'Donoghue says the proposal wouldn't have too much effect on his business.

'It will mean our customers can't [drive] up the hill and will have to drive around to Harrington St to get back onto Cameron Rd but that's only a minor thing as far as we're concerned.”

If the proposal is accepted, Martin says the changes would take place in the new financial year.