Brendon Hutchinson says they are working with the NZ Transport Agency on solutions for passing. Photo / File
Median barriers on the Hawke's Bay Expressway are slowing the average response times of ambulances and fire trucks trying to get to and from emergencies.
But despite the delays, emergency services say if they save one life they are "worth their weight in gold".
The median barriers have garnered criticismfrom some in the community since the NZ Transport Agency began widespread installation work along State Highway 2, because they prevent overtaking on the two-lane road.
Recently Tukituki MP Lawrence Yule said the barriers were preventing ambulances from overtaking during medical emergencies.
Yule, who wants the road to be four laned, acknowledged the barriers had made the road safer at the time of his comments.
Hawke's Bay assistant area commander for Fire and Emergency Services (FENZ), Glen Varcoe, said Yule was right.
The median barriers had slowed response times for emergency services travelling between Napier and Hastings, Varcoe said.
He said firefighters, along with St John Ambulance, were working with NZTA on a solution which could include more passing lanes or widening the road in more spots so people can pull over safely.
"We don't want the barriers to be removed, we want the ability for vehicles to move safely to the side."
Hawke's Bay Territory Manager for St John Brendon Hutchison said he had meet with NZTA to discuss some concerns they had about an inability to pass in some areas.
He said they had come up with some solutions for the New Year that they think are going to definitely help.
He said he was unable to share what those solutions were, as it was still early stages.
"We're going to catch-up again in the New Year, but they assured me they've got some things in place, or they are going to be able to put some things in place that are going to help us out."
NZTA senior project manager Rob Partridge said median barriers were an important safety measure which prevent the devastating impact of head-on crashes.
"The Transport Agency is working with the emergency services to better understand their concerns."
Speed signs flipped on Expressway
Meanwhile, several speed signs have been turned around on the Hawke's Bay Expressway, making it difficult to read while driving.
A spokesperson for NZTA said the signs, at the Omahu Rd roundabout and Kennedy Rd offramp, were likely the result of vandalism, despite recent roadworks, as contractors cover rather than flip signs when implementing temporary speed limits.
He said the signs would be flipped back to normal on Monday when everyone was back at work.