This truck got stuck on Cove Rd, Mangawhai, blocking both lanes last week. Authorities are yet to take action towards the truck company.
This truck got stuck on Cove Rd, Mangawhai, blocking both lanes last week. Authorities are yet to take action towards the truck company.
Authorities are refusing to enforce laws put in place along a State Highway 1 detour route during the Brynderwyn Hills closure in Northland, despite trucks illegally using the road.
The restrictions were approved by Whangārei and Kaipara district councils under the Land Transport Amendment Act covering temporary restrictions of heavy traffic on roads.
Police initially said it was responsible for enforcement and was determining whether charges would be laid.
When asked if police would fine the truck driver or company, and what the penalty would be, a spokeswoman said: “Taking into consideration the circumstances of the crash, police have reviewed the matter and at this stage no charges will be laid”.
Police would not say what those circumstances were, and after some prompting, said fines were the responsibility of the local council.
Whangārei District Council did not respond to the Northern Advocate’s questions about whether the truck company would be fined or how the driver got past checkpoints.
But Langs Beach resident Peter Harris said traffic management people working on Cove Rd tried to stop the truck at the Mangawhai checkpoint and turn it around.
“But the truck [driver] ignored them and just drove through.”
Harris said his friend was behind the truck but didn’t get stuck “because they knew what was going to happen and turned around”.
Roading authorities were confident heavy trucks would stay off local roads designated for light vehicles during the February 26 to May 13 closure after more than $5.5 million was spent on upgrading them.
Roading authorities were confident heavy trucks would stay off local detour routes, which didn’t happen last year and is continuing to happen along Cove Rd.
The transportation alliance said council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi staff had been in communication with the police regarding “increased presence and enforcement” across the detour routes over the closure period.
Harris said there should be “heavy penalties” for the truck company.
“He did this brazenly, against the regulations.
“People have to realise this is SH1 going through these one-lane areas.
“These particular two corners are just not suitable for truck and trailers, so finally they made up regulations to stop them.
Harris said locals “are furious because the [two] corners are notorious”.
“It has happened several times before during the last 12 months.
“There could have been so many local catastrophes resulting from people in Mangawhai needing medical or hospital attention in Whangārei, or other important appointments ... let alone emergency vehicles.”
The National Road Carriers Association said there was “no plausible reason” why the driver was using Cove Rd.
One week after Wednesday’s incident, NZTA and the council said they are still investigating the incident.
An NZTA spokeswoman said while Cove Rd was under council authority, it was unclear who was responsible for traffic management.
Trucks and truck and trailer units up to 50 tonnes are allowed on Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd, however larger trucks are supposed to be using the SH14 and SH12 detour through Dargaville.
Jenny Ling is a news reporter and features writer for the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering roading, lifestyle, business, and animal welfare issues.
