Highway condition riles Taranaki truckers
A threatened 70kmh “go-slow” on State Highway 3 by Taranaki truckies appears to have been averted, but the Road Transport Association New Zealand (RTANZ) is nonetheless intending “strong protest” over the motorway’s condition.
Accusing the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) of mislaid priorities, RTA western region area executive Tom Cloke says the main link to/from the Taranaki region and its port is literally ripping heavy vehicles apart.
“We are not getting the vegetation cut back on the side of the road, so the hedge and flax belts the screens and mirrors so then you have to go off line … then we’re seeing the Police come in and hit us with fines because we have a crack in a chassis or a light go out,” he says.
However, NZTA spokesperson Kate Styles claims the highway is being acceptably maintained and redirects attention on the truckies themselves.
“We make no apologies for holding operators accountable for when heavy vehicles are found to be non-compliant, as left unattended these issues can potentially compromise the safety of road users,” says Ms Styles.
“It is simply not credible to attribute non-compliance rates of nearly 50% to the condition of the road.”
