A restaurateur in Auckland's St Heliers says the removal of 40 car parking spots, as proposed by Auckland Transport, will kill his business and others in the seaside village suburb.
AT proposes to install 13 new pedestrian crossings and remove 40 car parks in St Heliers, citing a history of injury accidents in the area.
Sang Cho is a St Heliers local who has practically grown up in Annabel's restaurant, TVNZ1's Seven Sharp reported.
He now helps run the restaurant that was bought by his parents 21 years ago, but says it's now under threat.
"It will kill our business. You know, losing 40 carparks is horrendous," he said.
Mr Cho estimates that one car park is worth 20 cups of coffee, or potentially $100 an hour to the business.
"Save our Village" signs have been put up in the front windows of many businesses in St Heliers, including the bakery that has served the suburb for 25 years, and the local hardware store.
"If AT puts in what they want to put in, and get rid of 40 car parks, well I might as well just shut up shop. And I know for a fact that all these businesses will shut up shop," Mr Cho said.
Auckland Transport says St Heliers has been the scene of 38 crashes in the past five years, leaving eight people injured.
But Mr Cho rejected those figures, saying, "I've been here 21 years, and I can only remember one serious crash."
Auckland Transport cancelled an interview with Seven Sharp, saying in a written statement, "no final decisions have been made" and "we are currently asking for community feedback".
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