'These trucks have got to stop': Alternative routes being considered to move gravel

A Canterbury council has agreed to consider alternative routes for hauling gravel from the Waimakariri River, but warns all options have their challenges.

The Waimakariri District Council agreed on Tuesday to establish a gravel haulage reference group in response to Clarkville residents, who say they are ‘‘at breaking point’’ over the gravel trucks pounding their local roads.

The reference group will liaise between the regulators, extractors and the community to consider options for hauling up to 80,000 cubic metres of gravel, which will be used in preparatory work for the $1 billion Woodend Bypass.

Alternative options include a haulage route along the river bank which passes through a popular recreation area, or creating a new road which would be costly.

Waimakariri Mayor Gordon said he wanted to find a "broader solution".

"As far as I’m concerned, everything is on the table. An early task for the reference group will be to clearly understand what the real constraints are, if any, and to be mindful of those as we explore options.

"It’s also very important to me that residents are represented in that conversation.''

Mr Gordon said the council had been a strong advocate for the Woodend Bypass and the removal of this gravel played an important role in flood mitigation.

"Both of those outcomes matter, and we need to consider how we achieve them in the best possible way.”

Gravel extraction company SOL obtained a resource consent from Environment Canterbury extract 90,000 cubic metres of gravel from the north side of the Waimakariri River.

Downers has been sub-contracted to transport gravel for initial works for the much-anticipated Woodend Bypass.

The proposed haulage route will see the gravel transported via Baynons and Heywards Rds at Clarkville.

Clarkville residents organised a blockade of Baynons Rd on Monday morning in anticipation of large, gravel-laden trucks on the road, before presenting at Tuesday's council meeting.

Resident Juliet Edwards said fortunately no trucks came, but the community will do whatever it can to stop the trucks.

She said the narrow roads are unsuitable for trucks and it raised safety concerns for residents.

‘‘These trucks have got to stop using Baynons Rd and Heywards Rd.

‘‘We are at a breaking point. The council is prioritising contractor convenience and commercial gain over the safety of our children and the local community.’’

Concerns include road safety, pedestrian and horse rider safety, road damage, noise and vibration, and health effects.

Ms Edwards said there is safer, river-haulage route available.

The haulage route has been authorised by the council when it approved the outline plan for the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway, which includes the Woodend Bypass.

Around 70 residents met with Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon on Sunday, ahead of the blockade, Ms Edwards said.

‘‘We feel we are getting nowhere. I get the feeling they (council) are caught between a rock and a hard place."

The gravel is being used to fill two gravel pit lakes to make way for the Woodend Bypass.

An Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport spokesperson said the lakes are up to 8m deep in places, so filling them will take time.

"Gravel will continue to be delivered until the end of the year to create the solid base needed for the new road.

"As deliveries ramp up, there will be up to 13 trucks an hour, or about one truck every 5 minutes."

A report by senior engineering advisor Don Young at Tuesday’s meeting said several meetings had been held with residents and mitigations had been arranged with the contractor.

‘‘There are only a small number of options for hauling gravel from the north side of the Waimakariri, and all of them have disadvantages of some form.’’

The existing public roads all had residents living alongside, had unsealed sections and difficult bends or curves, meaning carting gravel would cause disruption.

Mr Young said the old haulage road also had some issues, as it passed through a popular recreation area.

The council could also consider creating a dedicated haulage route, but this would require purchasing land and carried legal costs and consenting requirements.

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.