1239 days ago

We Say/You Say: Winter Driving

Reporter Hamilton Press

Hi Hamilton,

Have you had any close shaves because of hazardous winter road conditions?

There were several crashes on Monday morning in the Waikato region as a result of icy conditions.

Black ice is incredibly difficult to spot for the average motorist and the AA recommends drivers pay attention to the weather conditions the night before setting out.

Temperatures below zero, valleys and dips in the road and shaded areas where the road won't warm up as quickly are all factors in black ice formation.

"You don't want to slam on your brakes if you do get onto ice and feel the vehicle starting to slide. That's actually likely to make the vehicle go more out of control," AA spokesman Dylan Thomsen said.

Multiple precautions are taken by Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to improve the safety during the winter.

The agency contracts Downer workers to drive hundreds of kilometres along stretches to detect wet patches of road as they are freezing.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) is sprayed on roads and bridges in very cold areas to stop ice from forming. The chemical acts by lowering the freezing temperature of the water.

Accidents are also mitigated when asphalt is sprinkled on at-risk stretches of road.

Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comment featured in the Hamilton Press.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

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5 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.3% Yes
    82.3% Complete
  • 15.1% No
    15.1% Complete
  • 2.6% Other - I'll share below
    2.6% Complete
2194 votes
4 hours ago

Poll: Do you think the inclusion of affordable homes will have an impact?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Off-the-plan sales at the long-awaited $3 billion Te Awa Lakes housing development in Horotiu will start in early 2025, some seven years after Perry Group originally announced the project.

Once finished about 2500 homes are due to be built on the 90ha site, with a target of 10% “affordable” homes being maintained. More than 5000 people are expected to live at the development once finished.

Do you think the inclusion of affordable homes will have an impact? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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Do you think the inclusion of affordable homes will have an impact?
  • 66.7% Yes
    66.7% Complete
  • 0% Maybe
    0% Complete
  • 33.3% No
    33.3% Complete
3 votes