Buildings block neighbourly peace

After months of construction chaos, the Meadowbank neighbours of The Block NZ are bracing themselves for an onslaught of spectators this weekend.

Some 6000 people are expected to attend an open home exhibition, as part of a build-up to the show’s finale.

Irina Ward said it had been an “absolute nightmare” living opposite the housing lot, where four homes have been under renovation since the beginning of this year. The site is near a busy intersection and at a bend in the road.

“As soon as those blue and yellow house covers came up it was like a circus arrived” she said.

Ongoing problems have included cars parking over her driveway and trucks blocking her vision for driving Mrs Ward said some “lovely and understanding” people at the site sometimes helped direct her, but leaving her house had “become really dangerous for us”.

“This is a busy road, I’m actually surprised they got away with it,” she said.

A section of St Johns Road, from Dorchester Street to Blackett Crescent, will be blocked off from 7.30am to 5pm this Saturday to accommodate the expected throng of fans and potential home buyers.

Neighbour Katherine Reardon said: “I can’t park outside my house ever ... but it’s the traffic that’s more concerning than anything”.

Miss Reardon said her partner was thrown off his bike when a fan of the show stopped their car to look at the site.

“My partner is the second person I know that has been knocked off his bike there. He hit the back of a car when it stopped suddenly. People slam the brakes, hang out windows, take photos … all sorts.”

Added Mrs Ward: “It’s an exciting part of a TV show for people, but for people close it’s not fun.”

However neighbour Ranjan Pant said it was “pretty cool” living next to the site.

He said he will find it “interesting” trying to get to his two sons to sports games this weekend.

Mr Pant has been informed and given six special tickets to view the houses, but Miss Reardon said she did not know of it until she saw a street block road sign.

Neighbouring businesses on St Johns Road will also be affected this weekend.

Yuliya Ralchenko of Be Beauty Salon, which is within the road closure, said she will not be able to work on Saturday. “I’m just happy for it to be finished.”