Businesses feeling the pinch after State Highway 1 reopeningSCOTT HAMMOND/Stuff.co.nz Business was booming after SH3 became the main route through the South Island following the Kaikoura earthquakes, but there has been a huge downturn since SH1 reopened. Business owners along the alternate route of State Highway 63 connecting Picton and Christchurch, said they felt the pinch the moment the coastal road reopened in December. St Arnaud Alpine Store owner Elaine Richards noticed the traffic volume drop immediately and said the reopening of State Highway 1 had created difficulties for the business. SCOTT HAMMOND/FAIRFAX NZ St Arnaud Alpine Store owner Elaine Richards said business along State Highway 63 has been slow since SH1 reopened in December. SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF People are still stopping off to get coffee and food from Emma Gonzalez's food cart but not to the same extent.

Source: Stuff March 18, 2018 00:33 UTC