A small North Canterbury community says gravel trucks are pounding their narrow roads and causing safety concerns, as early work begins on the Woodend Bypass.
By David Hill for Local Democracy Reporting
Gravel is being extracted from Baynons Brake in the Waimakariri River, near the State Highway 1 bridge, and transported to Pine Acres, north of Kaiapoi, to infill gravel pit lakes in preparation for the Woodend Bypass.
Local residents met with Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon earlier this week to vent their frustrations over trucks travelling on the "totally unsuitable" roads.
The trucks have been following a route along Baynons and Heywards roads, past Clarkville School.
Baynons Brake is also a popular equestrian park.
In letter to Gordon, Leonie Ward said most residents only became aware of the issue last week.
She noted Baynons Rd is about 5.5m to 6m wide, while a gravel truck is typically 2.5m to 3m wide.
‘‘Baynons Rd is narrow and has a blind bend. Both Baynons and Heywards roads are small, narrow, thinly tar sealed residential roads totally unsuitable for heavily laden truck and trailer units.
‘‘It will be impossible for trucks to pass each other – or even a car, in places – without going on to the verge, which is unsafe and potentially illegal.’’
The route impacted 45 homes, which were subjected to ‘‘dust and vibration’’, she said.
Ward suggested an alternative route, which would avoid Clarkville School.
It would follow the old gravel haulage route along the side of the river, exiting near the Challenge service station, south of Kaiapoi, she said.
‘‘The trucks would come out just before the Old Waimakariri Bridge, turn left on to Main North Rd, turn left again on to Tram Rd, and then right into Island Rd.’’
Environment Canterbury granted the consents to SOL Screening and Crushing Limited in July 2024 to extract up to 90 cubic metres of gravel.
Gordon said he is seeking further information from Environment Canterbury, but understands there are ‘‘limitations’’ with the alternative routes.
‘‘Residents asked that we work with Environment Canterbury and the contractor and investigate an alternative they (residents) have put forward.
‘‘We committed to coming back to the group later with our findings.’’
Environment Canterbury consents planning manager Henry Winchester said while the council issued the consent, it does not determine how gravel is transported from an extraction site.
Traffic to and from the site was to be addressed with the Waimakariri council through conditions required in Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s designation for the Woodend Bypass route.
An NZTA spokesperson said the ongoing removal of gravel from the Waimakariri River to provide flood protection for communities is a larger issue than sourcing material for the Woodend Bypass project.
Gravel is being taken from three separate sites, meaning truck movements will not be concentrated in any one area, the spokesperson said.
‘‘Our contractor’s supplier, along with ECan, has discussed with stakeholders the most suitable route for truck movements from the Baynons Brake area, as well as agreeing measures such as a speed limit and operating hours, to reduce any disruption to the local community.’’
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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