Call for less speed after log truck spill

A log came loose as the truck turned into the main street of Port Chalmers, Dunedin. Photo / File

There are renewed calls for a speed limit reduction in the main street in Port Chalmers after a large log fell from a logging truck last week.

The log came loose as the truck was turning into George St about 2.20pm last Thursday.

It landed on the footpath outside the Port Chalmers Maritime Museum. No-one was hurt.

Police were not called and WorkSafe was not notified.

Port Chalmers Historical Society secretary John Moodie said he was in the museum at the time and saw the large log lying on the ground, but did not see it fall.

Mr Moodie said he understood the incident happened when the truck driver had to avoid a vehicle that had parked on the pedestrian crossing in Beach St.

Mr Moodie said he did not know the name of the transport company or the driver.

It took about 30 minutes for the log to be removed from the side of the road.

''It was an unfortunate accident but no-one was injured, but the trucking company did a good job of getting it all cleaned up.''

Port Chalmers resident Stu Debenham said the logging truck incident showed why the speed limit in George St had to be reduced to 30kmh.

Mr Debenham said he spoke to Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders after he learnt of the incident, but was not hopeful any change would be quick.

After a protest by Port Chalmers residents last month, Mr Winders asked trucking companies to reduce the speed of their trucks in George St.

Mr Debenham said the most recent incident showed why a more forceful approach was needed.

''This is the very thing we are trying to avoid and it happened on the flat. Imagine what would have happened if the truck was coming down off the hill.

''Where would have the log ended up then?'' he said.

Mr Winders could not be contacted for comment yesterday.