The NZ Transport Agency is sticking to its guns over its refusal to store emergency bridge stock on the West Coast, although the Government is now taking a close interest.
By Vihan Dalal for Local Democracy Reporting
Both the West Coast Regional Transport Committee and the Automobile Association have been strongly advocating for the return of Bailey bridge components to the West Coast in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, when much of the South Island supply was taken north for road repairs.
Regional Transport Committee chairman Peter Ewen told LDR the Minister for South Island, James Meager, was now "aware of the issue".
Councillor Peter Ewen has been vocal in his criticism of the NZTA decision to only store the Bailey bridges in Canterbury, having previously cited a lack of a suitable salt-free storage space on the West Coast.
Ewen says the agency seems "oblivious" to the logistical risk the Alpine Fault poses to the West Coast and the ability to easily transport bridge stock to where it will be needed in the event of an Alpine Fault earthquake.
At a recent meeting of the South Island regional transport committee chairs, who met with Meager, the group gave precedence to the West Coast over the Bailey bridge issue.
"James Meager was online. The other chairs thought we had a legitimate concern to be concerned," Ewen said afterwards.
The bridge supply was seen as a South Island-wide concern but with the other regional transport committee chairs acknowledged the West Coast's particular logistical challenge, given it "may not have any in the cupboard" in case of a disaster.
"We're just going to keep hammering away on the Bailey bridges," Ewen said.
He had made it clear to the minister the issue will continue to be brought to the table until there is a positive response, but in the meantime "NZTA just want to keep their toys".
Ewen said the minister did not say "yes or no" but he was clearly aware of the issue.
In a statement to LDR, Meager said he was exploring the bridge issue as part of his South Island priorities.
The issue was primarily within the delegations of Transport Minister Chris Bishop, he said.
"However, it is something I've had extensive conversations about with key stakeholders, including the AA, and is something I'm looking to explore as part of my South Island priorities."
NZTA central South Island area manager Mark Pinner said the agency "understands" the argument for the bridges being stored on the West Coast, but repeated NZTA's previous stated position.
"Our position is that storing these Bailey or Acrow bridge components in a central location like Christchurch is logistically and strategically the best option for responding to emergencies or disaster events that may occur anywhere in New Zealand."
AA Canterbury-West Coast chairman John Skevington has previously told NZTA that Crofts Transport has agreed to provide storage space for bridge parts at its Stillwater yard.
Pinner told LDR the NZTA has not been in contact with any West Coast companies regarding the storage of the bridges.
"We have no plans at present to establish additional depots of temporary/emergency bridge stock in other locations within the South Island and therefore we have not engaged with any West Coast companies or organisations about suitable storage sites."
Ewen said it was difficult to change their minds.
"If an event happens and [the temporary bridges] do not get here, it will give us no pleasure to say 'we told you so' but that is probably what is going to happen."
Those bridges would be needed to secure the connection between Hokitika and Greymouth, he said.
"Two-thirds of the Coast's population is between Greymouth and Hokitika. The main hospital on the Coast is in Greymouth, you have got the airport in Hokitika, you have got the police headquarters in Greymouth, you have got the supermarkets between the two of them.
"It just does not make any sense not to keep that connection secure and having bridges here would make that a little bit secure. They might not be needed, but we do not know that till the event happens," Ewen said.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
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