A speed camera on the Coatesville Riverview Highway was cut down reportedly by a disgruntled local. Video / Ryan Bridge TODAY
Police are investigating after a speed camera on an Auckland highway that has garnered millions in fines was allegedly chopped down by an “upset local”.
The camera on the Coatesville Riverhead Highway is designed to catch those going above the 60km/h speed limit which came into force at theend of June 2020.
The speed limit had previously been lowered from 100km/h to 80km/h before the current restriction was enforced.
More than 36,000 speeding fines totalling about $3.7 million had been issued in the first six months of the 60km/h limit being in place, according to Stuff, and now locals may have taken the issue into their own hands.
“A lot of you already know an upset local sticking up for the rest of us has chopped down the revenue collector,” road safety campaigner and Rodney local board member Geoff Upson said while inspecting the now-sliced speed camera pole.
Upson said the pole looked as though it had been cut with an angle grinder as it was “quite a clean cut” and emphasised how it showed the local community’s dissatisfaction with the speed limit.
A speed camera on the Coatesville Riverview Highway has been cut down. Photo / Facebook, Geoff Upson
“Coatesville Riverhead Highway used to be 100, then it was 80, now it’s 60 and community member, good Samaritan, has removed the revenue collecting camera.
“So anyway, good news, it’s safe for you to drive 61km/h on your way to work tomorrow.”
Commenters on the post mostly supported the act, with one person calling on people to “Buy that man a beer ... secretly tho.”
A NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesperson told the Herald they were aware of damage to the camera and pole on the highway, which happened at about 7.30pm on January 29, and its replacement was being organised.
“Intentional vandalism of NZTA property is a criminal offence,” the spokesperson said,“ and the action has been reported to NZ Police.”
Waitematā Road Policing Manager Inspector Jason Edwards said police responded to a report of “wilful damage” in Coatesville.
“A member of the public had seen a man damaging and cutting down a safety camera on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, just north of Wake Rd.
“Police attended at the time, but the offender had left the scene. Police taped off the immediate area, and NZ Transport Agency was advised about the incident.
Police said they will be in the area of the cut down speed camera to help enforce the speed limit.
“The man was described as driving a blue 4WD with a canopy.”
Edwards reminded the public that the speed limit of 60km/h still applied despite the camera being damaged and police would be in the area to enforce this.
Anyone with knowledge that could assist police has been asked to make contact via 105 and use the reference number 260130/5294.
The NZTA spokesperson also clarified that the cost of the footpath was not $300,000 as quoted in Upson’s video, but rather $13,000.
“The total cost of the roadside infrastructure was $152k including the pad around camera, the retaining wall and Temporary Traffic Management costs for the work to be carried out.”
