Car takes out Springvale fence ... again

This fence of the corner of Fitzherbert Ave and Totara St has been taken out by a car nine times. Photo/Bevan Conley

Make that nine times....

When a car ploughed through Sandra Watson's Springvale fence on Friday afternoon it was entirely expected. It was the third time this year and the ninth in 14 years.

And with Ms Watson's insurance company raising her excess it's now costing her $1000 every time in happens.

"I've got to the stage where I don't want to fix my fence because it's going to get smashed again," she said.

Sandra Watson with her broken fence in May, 2016.

Ms Watson is desperate for some sort of safety measure to be put in place to prevent such an accident happening again.

"There are so many other near-misses. On a wet day you can sit around and count the skids," she said. "The last one happened at 10 past three. It's school holidays but it could've been kids walking home from school."

2015: Five crashes into same front garden
2017: Smashed fences push up insurance

Whanganui District Council senior roading engineer Rui Leitao said it had employed a new road safety engineer who will undertake an investigation into the history of crashes on and approaching the intersection.

Mr Leitao said there were large chevron markers which were clearly visible when approaching the intersection.

"These should prompt drivers to exercise care but they don't appear to be taking them into consideration so we may need to look at behavioural issues and driver education as well as engineering solutions," Mr Leitao said.

"We do believe the problem can be addressed and we will be taking some action but it must be based on evidence."

He said a barrier might not be the ideal solution.

"Introducing a barrier into this situation without taking any other action won't actually prevent crashes and our concern is that it could even increase the likelihood of a fatality."

Ms Watson said she would be happy with any measure that worked.

"I don't know anything about roading but I just know I'm sick of fixing my fence and there must be something wrong with the corner for people to skid."