Two Central Hawke’s Bay windscreen repair businesses have replaced dozens of windscreens that customers claim were damaged along a stretch of state highway roadworks.
A Novus Glass Waipukurau employee said he had never seen so much carnage from one stretch of NZ Transport Agency-funded roadworks – running from the 100km zone on State Highway 2 north of Waipawa to just before the town clock.
“In two days [January 29 and 30], we repaired or replaced more than 30 windscreens,” the employee said.
“Many of the cars also had chips in their paintwork.
“We are booked up for the next two weeks. I’ve never seen so many cars damaged from one section of roadworks.”
A spokesperson for CHB Glass said it had at least eight requests to fix damaged windscreens in one day, which was unusual.
Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley said he was aware of the community’s concerns and frustration about the situation.
“I have passed the feedback to NZTA and will meet with MP Mike Butterick about the situation,” Foley said.
Sam Johnstone, who lives on SH2, drove through the roadworks on Saturday and now needs a new windscreen.
“There was a 30km/h speed sign, but no one was going that fast and still, stone chips were flying everywhere.
“I was doing 15km/h when the first stone hit my windscreen. I dropped right back, but still got hit by a second flying stone.
“It’s the biggest muck-up I’ve ever seen on a stretch of roadworks, and I’ve seen a few.
“Over the past year, roadworks have been ongoing almost continuously.”
Johnstone said his family had lived in the area for generations.
“We’ve basically been here forever, and my granddad is so proud of the town. That’s why I’m so invested in it.
“I want to help work toward a solution because we can’t just keep going around in circles.”
Johnstone said he had also removed at least two shovel loads of stones from his car’s inner guards, suspension and brakes.
“I still need to remove the side skirts. They are full of stones as well.”
He put in a request to NZTA for compensation, but it was declined.
The letter from a customer relations adviser said NZTA had carried out a full review.
“Our investigation found that Higgins has acted reasonably and diligently in managing the work site where the damage occurred to your vehicle.”
It went on to say the agency was unable to compensate for the damage “as Higgins fulfilled its obligations to maintain a safe worksite”.
Johnstone said he had resubmitted his claim.
The nightwork was funded by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and done by Higgins as its maintenance and operations contractor.
NZTA’s Hawke’s Bay/Tairāwhiti system manager, Martin Colditz, said the work involved a second coat of sealing.
“It follows the rebuild of this stretch of road that was carried out in March last year and some pre-seal repairs completed in December, ahead of the second coat seal,” Colditz said.
“Applying a second coat seal a few months to a year after the initial sealing work is standard practice.
“When we rebuild a section of the road and apply a chipseal finish, we need to come back later to carry out a second coat seal.
“This locks in the seal to make it waterproof, keeps it stronger and safer for longer, and helps reduce the likelihood of flushing occurring. This was indicated at the time of the initial rebuild of this stretch of road and communicated in advance of the work beginning.”
He said chipseal needed to be laid in warm, dry months so it becomes strong and long-lasting.
“It can crack in cold weather, and wet conditions affect the bond between the bitumen and the road.”
He said the work was crucial, and there was always a risk of loose stones flicking up, so it was important to follow the lower speed limit and not follow closely behind vehicles.
“Unfortunately, even if you’re travelling at or below the temporary speed, if the person in front isn’t, then stones will easily flick up and that’s when the damage, especially to windscreens, can occur.”
A spokesperson for Higgins declined to comment.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.