Western Bay of Plenty Council chambers were packed today as several concerned Te Puke residents and business owners spoke in the public forum.

They were all there to protest the single-lane development of their town, as well as bring grievances regarding the reduced parking.

Te Puke Jewellers co-owner Rod Pearce spoke first, highlighting many of the issues other residents had.

'Te Puke is a very vibrant community, but we've got some very serious issues.”

He says the economic balance has been tipped on its side. For example, his jewellers has only done 10 per cent of its usual November business, something he attributes to the new eastern link and the parking situation.

'Parking is a nightmare,” he says – a statement that drew murmurs of agreement from the public during the meeting.

He says Council, in making a deal with NZTA about road management, has made a 'deal with the Devil.”

He warns some businesses will not be operating at the end of next winter if the situation continues.

Councillor Margaret Murray-Benge asked Rod if the infrastructure alterations to Te Puke were reversed, would businesses have a fighting chance.

He says, 'Give us a level playing field”.

Other business owners supported this view, with one woman visibly upset at the thought of losing her business. Another man reports his turnover in the last week is the worst in six years.

A female resident says traffic down side streets has increased, as vehicles seek to avoid the main road.

'It's a nightmare for me getting in and out of my driveway.”

A petition with nearly 800 signatures was presented to Council on the issue, which petition organiser Gloria Hawthorne says was inspired after she read a letter in The Weekend Sun on the matter.

At the conclusion of the public forum part of the meeting, Mayor Garry Webber thanked the speakers and the audience, saying 'we appreciate your passion.”

The deputy CEO was then questioned by councillors regarding the alterations to Te Puke. His remark that initial investigations into the alterations predicted only 'short delays” in traffic manoeuvring drew laughter from the audience.

He promised a parking survey in the New Year to gauge public opinion more thoroughly on that aspect of the issue.

Councillor Kevin Marsh then spoke in opposition to the alterations being undertaken in Te Puke. He moved a resolution to urgently reverse the single-lane/parking alterations, which was finally seconded after some wrangling over the wording.

Councillor John Scrimgeour moved to amend the resolution, adding the phrase 'Council will investigate”.

This drew groans of disgust from the public.

The amendment was added successfully after several councillors voted in favour of it, with only Margaret and Kevin voting against.

The Mayor concluded by saying a knee-jerk reaction to the issue was not the right approach, the investigation will allow for better understanding.

'Please rest assured: this is not the end.”