Transit's Maramarua road plan a 'disappointment'

A roading package for Waikato has failed to deliver major solutions for the "unforgiving" Maramarua highway.

Spending plans released in Transit NZ's 10-year roading plan last week show that a huge public outcry over dangers on the road resulted in one project being moved forward by only a few years, and a $3 million safety package that was already public.

A Herald on Sunday campaign drew hundreds of letters and thousands of signatures asking Transit to make the road safer. There have been 40 deaths on the road in five years.

The only major difference between the draft and final roading plan is a shift forward to 2011 - rather than 2013 - for a plan to build a four-lane road around Maramarua village.

It also confirmed construction of the Mangatawhiri deviation, which cuts out the village best known for its "castle cafe".

Chris Allen, Transit's Waikato manager, said the shift to an earlier date was "very much due to public submissions".

The release of the plan was disappointing news for Kim Murdock, who suffered devastating injuries in an accident on the road. She expected at the very least a two-way expressway with wider shoulders and a median barrier, until the four-lane road could get under way.

It is volunteer firefighter Don Shanks of Mangatangi Volunteer Fire Brigade who has to cut victims like Kim Murdock from cars, and he is not happy either.

"I expected they would be starting work this year but it seems the improvements they have already made are it."

He said the road was still too narrow, although the recent safety upgrades improved things.

National's transport spokesman Maurice Williamson was critical of Transit NZ.

"Considering the death rate on that road, it is inexcusable that it isn't being built now."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY