Minister sees roading trouble spots for himself

SEEING IS BELIEVING: Simon Bridges will consider the Far North's request regarding Mangakahia Rd but doesn't want to give false hope. PHOTO/PETER DE GRAAF

Northland leaders have urged new Transport Minister Simon Bridges, on a whistle-stop tour of the region's roading trouble spots, to lift Mangakahia Rd to state highway status.

Mr Bridges' December 19 visit came about after controversy over his predecessor's pre-election pledge to cover 90 per cent of the cost of repairing road damage caused by winter storms.

The minister flew to Whangarei where he met roading leaders and was greeted by an anti-oil-drilling protest, and was taken on a tour of the Far North by Mayor John Carter.

"I was really keen to come because I know there's been a few questions about the response to flooding. I wanted to come and see it for myself."

Mr Bridges said he understood there were frustrations about the pace of flood repairs, but the NZ Transport Agency, which is in charge of state highways, had to fix the worst slips first. About 60 slips had been repaired so far but it would take at least a year to do them all.

Members of the Northland Mayoral Forum made it clear they wanted a state highway network better able to withstand the region's weather. They also pushed for state highway status for Mangakahia Rd between Whangarei and Kaikohe then via Te Pua Rd to SH1.

In the July storm, Mangakahia Rd became the Far North's main lifeline after almost every other route failed. However, it was unable to withstand the volume of traffic and was soon forced to close.

Mr Bridges said he would consider the request but did not want to give false hopes. NZTA's view was that Mangakahia Rd did not meet the criteria for state highway status.

If it became a state highway the government, not councils, would pick up maintenance costs.

Meanwhile, Mr Bridges described his road trip with Mr Carter, Cr John Vujcich and council infrastructure manager Jacqui Robson as a "great adventure".

"There was no speeding with Minister on Transport in the car but at some points I think he sped up to emphasise some aspects of the road."

The tour started in Kawakawa, travelled north to Awanui on SH1 and back via SH10, taking in the points where the highways close in heavy rain, the one-lane bridges at Rangiahua, Taipa and Whangaroa, and the slip and dust-affected Picadilly Rd.

Mr Bridges said he noticed "some variability" in the standard of Northland roads.