Brynderwyns closure: Calls to ban trucks from Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd following logging truck crash

A logging truck crashed, completely blocking the Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd detour route on day one of the Brynderwyns closure. Photo / Michael Cunningham

There are calls for trucks to be banned from a second Brynderwyns detour route in Northland after a logging truck crashed and blocked both lanes within 24 hours of the SH1 closure.

Police were notified of the incident, where the logging truck rolled on the Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd detour route south of Waiotira Rd in the Mangapai area, just after 12.30pm on Monday, causing major delays.

The road was closed and diversions were in place while the truck was removed, while NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advised motorists to delay their journeys or use an alternative route. No one was hurt.

The road was reopened just before 5pm.

The 10-week closure of SH1 over the Brynderwyn Hills began at midnight on Sunday so repairs can be carried out to repair last year’s storm damage.

Trucks and truck and trailer units up to 50 tonnes are allowed on Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd, which is also a suggested route for light vehicles.

High-productivity motor vehicles (HPMV) must use SH12 and SH14 through Dargaville.

Truck and trailer units have been banned from the Waipū and Mangawhai detour, which is reserved for light vehicles only.

Northland Chamber of Commerce president and Whangārei business owner Tim Robinson said Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd wasn’t suitable for large trucks.

While light delivery trucks were okay, “full-blown truck and trailer units” were not, Robinson said.

“Just because they’re under 50 tonnes doesn’t mean they’re ideally suited for that road.

“It’s too narrow and windy to sustain trucks that size.

“50 tonnes does cover a big truck.”

But Robinson said there were a large number of transport operators “stuck between a rock and a hard place because they can’t charge more for the extra kilometres, time and road user charges to go through Dargaville”.

“A lot of smaller operators are on fixed price contracts, they can’t turn around and say your rates have gone up while I have to travel an extra 100km and spend another three hours on the road.

“They’ve got real issues still earning an income, but not creating unsafe situations on the road.”

There are calls for trucks to be banned from Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd following a truck crash. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Whangārei resident Grant Caldwell said the “linehaul guys and girls should not be using that road at all”.

“Those trucks are used to the state highway network, they’re not used to the rural roads.

“To send all trucks round Dargaville is going to cripple us financially, but the road [Brynderwyns] has got to be fixed.”

NZTA has confirmed the logging truck that crashed was a “50 max so it was allowed on Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd”.

NZTA regional relationships director Steve Mutton assured motorists and the Paparoa-Oakleigh community that NZTA was “working hard to support the Northland network” following the crash.

“Today marks the first day of the SH1 Brynderwyn Hills closure and while this is not what we had hoped for, our teams have planned for any events like this on the detour routes and have been able to respond swiftly,” Mutton said.

National Road Carriers transport specialist Paula Rogers said the police Commercial Vehicle Investigation team was at the site and would look into the cause of the crash.

Rogers said she was disappointed one had happened so early in the process but “we’ll wait and see what the reason is behind it”.

“I drove that detour route about three times and was really impressed with the amount of work done on that road.

“There’s no reason for there to be incidents, we don’t know the cause of this.”

Northland Chamber of Commerce president Tim Robinson said Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd wasn’t suitable for large trucks.

Rogers said the freight sector had worked hard with NZTA to prepare for the closure and truckies were familiar with the detour routes and regulations.

She was confident drivers were sticking to the rules.

“We’ve had that time to communicate this time, it’s not just an overnight closure.

“There’s been ample time to get that message out, of who’s allowed [on the detour routes].”

Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd resident Russell Miller said the last time the Brynderwyns were closed for several weeks, following Cyclone Gabrielle, it was “an absolute nightmare”.

Large trucks ignored the rules to detour through Dargaville and fully laden logging trucks, milk tankers and stock trucks used the route to get to and from Whangārei.

This time, the noise was already “incredible”, he said.

“It started at four this morning.

“They’re ignoring the engine braking signs down into the village as well.

“It’s early days yet but it’s frustrating. There are massive heavy duty vehicles on that road even though they were told to go the other way.”

Paparoa-Oakleigh Rd residents Russell and Melanie Miller said the increased truck noise started at 4am on Monday.

Rogers said all motorists need to be aware there will be more traffic on the roads.

“You’re going to see an increase of trucks on that road; for Northland to remain open we need trucks to get the freight up there.

“Road users need to drive to the conditions, be aware if they’re driving on the western side there’s likely to be an increase in heavy traffic and give them room.

“We need that road fixed otherwise we’ll get into winter and who knows what will happen. If don’t get the Brynderwyns sorted now, we could be in for a longer closure throughout the winter.”

Waipū Business and Community Society chairman Peter Gibbs said it’s been “pretty busy” with traffic, though not many people were stopping at Waipū township.

When the Northern Advocate phoned, he was putting up signs saying “have a break and come into Waipū and do some shopping”.

“It’s 10 times what it normally is, it’s constant but not unbearable.

“A lot of people just want to get through [town].”

Gibbs said the Brynderwyns closure was “a real indication of a lack of long-term planning”.

“They’re spending millions on this which has to be done now.

“What the future? They’ve been talking about tunnels and bypasses for a decade, who’s going to be brave enough to put something in place and do it?”

Waipū Cove Resort assistant manager Laura Staallekker said Cove Rd, which passes by the hotel, was “more busy than usual, especially this morning”.

“There was a long queue in front of the hotel and restaurant [The Cove Cafe] around 7am,” Staallekker said.

“I’ve seen a lot of buses but not big trucks.”

A police spokesman said they were investigating the truck crash.

“Police are still determining the circumstances of the crash at this point in time.”

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.