Matt Bron is calling for lower speed limits on Te Mata Peak Rd after repeatedly finding cars crashed on his property. Photo / Warren Buckland
Matt Bron is calling for lower speed limits on Te Mata Peak Rd after repeatedly finding cars crashed on his property. Photo / Warren Buckland
A Hawke's Bay landowner is calling for lower speed limits on a road loved by visitors after finding four cars wrecked in his fence in six weeks.
Matt Bron woke up on Monday morning to find a second car in the past fortnight crashed through his property's fencing on TeMata Peak Rd, Havelock North.
Bron said the cost of fixing the fencing could reach upwards of $1500 each time it happens.
"The most we've spent on fixing the fence is $1500 and the most recent one is going to cost us $800 as they crashed through and broke the post," he said.
"Every night this road turns into a racetrack for boy racers," he said.
"We've watched 30 cars in a train racing up the peak, told police, and nothing happens."
Hastings District Council says "slippery when wet" and "slow down" warning signs have been erected on Te Mata Peak Rd after a recent increase in crashes.
A council spokeswoman said a management plan for the lower section of the road was in the works, but was subject to funding allocations and approvals in its Long-Term Plan.
"The design options include road and shoulder widening and guard rails where appropriate," she said.
"Because of the nature of this area, there are significant engineering challenges that are being worked through to find cost-effective solutions. Once complete, this will be discussed with residents."
Bron said the issue of livestock was an added problem.
"The fact we can't put stock in that paddock until the fence is fixed, but we can't fix the fence until the car is removed is incredibly frustrating," he said.
"It's fortunate there wasn't any stock in there in the most recent case, otherwise we'd have woken up to dead goats, too."
Bron said police were unable to provide details of those involved in the crashes for privacy reasons, leaving another bitter taste in his mouth.
"They are allowed to breach our fence and leave their vehicle here, but we can't get their names to see if we can claim some insurance.
"The bad guys are protected, but we're powerless. "We're the victims here."
On August 7, another car went off the side of Te Mata Peak Rd. Photo / Paul Taylor
A Te Mata Park Trust spokeswoman said while it was unaware of any problems within the park's boundaries, discussions with the council were "in the pipeline" to discuss safety concerns on that stretch of road.
"The trust is fully supportive of making this road safer for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians," she said.
"I understand that the council is addressing various issues associated with Te Mata Peak Rd."
A police spokeswoman said police had received a report of the crashed car on Monday morning. Hawke's Bay Today has approached police for further comment.
