Wild seas leave $300k repair bill

COASTAL POUNDING: Cape Palliser Rd had chunks battered out of it during last month's severe storm.PHOTO/FILE

Repairing the damage to Cape Palliser Rd caused when severe weather pounded the coast last month is expected to cost over $300,000.

South Wairarapa District Council roading manager Tim Langley examined "in much better weather conditions" the four sections that suffered considerable damage.

"If we look at reinstating what's been there in the past, we're looking at somewhere between $300,000 and $400,000," Mr Langley said at last week's council meeting.

The council had enough funding to cover repair costs because it was well prepared for such seasonally common events, he said.

Mayor Adrienne Staples said she had safety concerns because vehicles had been hit by waves during the storm.

She raised the possibility of closing the road in future storms.

Mr Langley replied: "It's not difficult, it's just a standard process that we work under in terms of closing the road, in terms of safety, it's not difficult."

But Councillor Brian Jephson said there was no alternative route for residents if the road was closed.

Mr Jephson, who lives on Cape Palliser Rd, said a long-term solution must be sought: "We're going to have to look, in time, at some big works to stop it happening again."

Roading contractor Fulton Hogan had begun fixing the road "at first light" after the storm hit and had "done a good job at keeping the road open".

Mr Jephson said waves, debris and rocks had been washed up on to the road and "seals were getting smacked around".

"They were sleeping on the road to get out of the rough seas, it was an incredible scene."

The severe weather which hit the coast in late May had stripped sand from many beaches, he said.

"Sometimes it can happen three times a month then other times once in six months, it depends on the weather pattern."