Residents fear Kerikeri bypass will pave way for logging trucks

Julie from Kerikeri District

Residents fear a proposed bypass in Kerikeri will mean an influx of logging trucks rumbling their way through their quiet cul de sac.

The south eastern bypass - a $20.5 million bypass linking the Mill Lane industrial area with Maraenui Drive - is one of several roading projects aimed at reducing congestion in Kerikeri set down in the Far North District Council's Long Term Plan 2018-28.

The 1km road would divert heavy goods trucks away from Hobson Ave and Cobham Rd.

Transport Action Group Kerikeri spokesperson Julie Clearwater said recent news of a long term forestry contract being awarded to a Waipapa company meant a "real possibility" of timber being carted from Waipapa forest to the saw mill via the Kerikeri township.

"We're going to have logging trucks and school traffic using the same bypass. It's the safety of it, it's a residential area.

"Logging truck movements through town would have a huge impact on both residential and commercial properties."
Maraenui Drive resident Chris O'Brien said the proposal was "ludicrous" and "extremely shortsighted".

"To date trucks go via Haruru Falls but they're looking for another route out. When they start logging the north side of the forest they'll want to come out through Kerikeri.

"Who wants logging trucks trundling past their front door every hour of the day once the Waitangi Forest is harvested?"
Both residents said the bypass would create more congestion and there would end up being three bottlenecks; at Maraeuni Drive, Mill Lane and at Countdown.

Instead of the mere 1km stretch of road proposed, the bypass should continue further to link directly with State Highway 10, they said.

"They're trying to sell it to the community as a way to relieve congestion, but it's not," Clearwater said.

Council Infrastructure & Asset Management Acting General Manager Glenn Rainham said the council has no confirmed plans to create a bypass linking Maraenui Drive and Mill Lane.

The council has decided to delay a decision on the bypass until a district wide roading strategy could be developed. The aim is to complete the strategy for the annual plan 2019-20.

"There is a considerable amount of work to be done before we can confirm any changes to the proposed road network for Kerikeri so it is not possible to say whether residents on any potential route will be impacted by logging trucks," Rainham said.

"However, given road construction timelines, it is likely harvesting which is currently underway using Haruru Falls Rd will be over well before any new roads are completed."

But Clearwater said the plans are much further advanced, and residents had not been involved in a consultation process.

"Nobody told us. The first I heard about it was a random post on Facebook."

Credit to Jenny Ling: www.stuff.co.nz...