Latest news with #MarlboroughRoads
NZ Herald
7 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Marlborough teen's fatal tractor crash prompts safety improvements
Paul Leslie, one of the owners, said Jones showed up to work early every day and was a 'good little fella', who was 'good on machinery' and 'great with numbers'. The morning of his death, Jones and Leslie had travelled to Canvastown, where a paddock needed ploughing. The tractor was on site, and Leslie watched Jones do pre-start checks on the tractor before leaving him to complete the work with the understanding he would drive the tractor back to the business' premises in Linkwater once it was done. Later that morning, Jones was driving the tractor back to Linkwater on a winding section of Queen Charlotte Drive in Havelock, when he failed to negotiate a right-hand bend, crashed through a wooden barrier, and rolled down a steep bank on the left-hand side of the road. At the time of the accident, it was sunny and the road was dry, well-marked and in fair condition. The tractor did not have any mechanical faults. Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave said the death was preventable and recommended installing a metal barrier. Photo / RNZ, Nate McKinnon Serious crash investigation and findings An investigation by the Tasman Police Serious Crash Unit found remnants of an ice cream, sausage roll and coffee inside the overturned tractor, while analysis of Jones' phone data showed he had been using Snapchat while driving, though he had placed his phone back into his chest pocket before the crash. Jones was likely distracted by eating, drinking and messaging on Snapchat as he negotiated the bend in the road, causing the tractor to crash through the barrier and down the bank, Schmidt-McCleave said. The senior constable who oversaw the crash investigation said Jones had not been wearing his seatbelt and, if he had, he 'more than likely would have survived'. Schmidt-McCleave said given the injuries described in the post-mortem, she did not have enough evidence to reach that conclusion. The crash investigator also said the wooden sightline barrier was not sufficient to prevent the tractor from crashing through, and had there been a metal or wire barrier at the curve in the road, it might have kept the tractor on the road and prevented the crash. He recommended Marlborough Roads should consider installing one. Marlborough District Council and the district's roading office, Marlborough Roads, advised the coroner it managed a roading network approximately 1500km long, much of it rural and mountainous, with around 250 sight rails in the region to delineate the road next to steep drop-offs. The council said it would be challenging to install a metal barrier at the site of the crash because of the steep terrain, as the deep anchoring required for barrier posts would be difficult. It deemed its current approach to road safety was adequate, including the use of sight rails, signage, line marking and appropriate speed management. Schmidt-McCleave recommended Marlborough District Council further consider installing a metal or wire rope barrier at the crash site and on similar bends on Queen Charlotte Drive, in order to reduce the chances of further deaths occurring in similar circumstances. The coroner also endorsed the Transport Agency's recommendations on driver distraction, which included encouraging motorists to turn their phone off when driving or using 'do not disturb' mode, and taking regular breaks rather than eating, drinking or smoking while driving.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
NZTA Confirms Funding Assistance For Marlborough Road Repairs
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has confirmed an enhanced Funding Assistance Rate (FAR) for emergency works repairs to roads in Marlborough damaged due to the June/July weather events. This Financial Assistance Rate (FAR) will be 91 per cent for response activities and 81 per cent for recovery activities. Marlborough District Council's Regional Land Transport Committee Chair Councillor Scott Adams said this was very welcome news for the region and extended his thanks to NZTA. 'Marlborough Roads staff and contractors have been working to fix more than 780 faults across our entire local roads network caused by these recent storms with an estimated repair bill of around $20M. 'NZTA have acknowledged the challenges we are facing as a Council and responded very positively to our request for this enhanced FAR. We sincerely appreciate NZTA's support in helping us to restore our local roads adversely affected by these recent weather events,' Clr Adams said. The weather event which hit Marlborough on 27 June had the biggest impact across the district. The worst damage occurred in the Awatere Valley, Northbank Road and Port Underwood Road. There were also several slips on Queen Charlotte Drive including a large slip between Ngākuta Bay and Momorangi Bay. 'Since late June, we have had further storm events pass through Marlborough which have caused more damage. Most of the damage has been overslips as well as several roads closed due to flooding,' Clr Adams said. 'Communities are still impacted by the damage with restricted access to Northbank Road due to a very large slip 2km in and also Port Underwood Road from Oyster Bay to Rārangi is still closed because of a large dropout.' Clr Adams said Marlborough Roads estimated the Northbank Road slip at the 2km mark would be upwards of a $1M repair by the time it was finished. 'This slip is 35m high, 60m across and contains around 20,000 cubic metres of material. That's the equivalent of eight Olympic-sized swimming pools. By the time contractors have finished on site, around 2500 truckloads worth of material are expected to have been removed. 'By end of day Tuesday 12 August, the team on site had removed 11,800m3 of this material. Over the past few days this has been at a rate of around 800m3 per day,' he said.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
NZTA Confirms Funding Assistance For Marlborough Road Repairs
Press Release – Marlborough District Council This Financial Assistance Rate (FAR) will be 91 per cent for response activities and 81 per cent for recovery activities. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has confirmed an enhanced Funding Assistance Rate (FAR) for emergency works repairs to roads in Marlborough damaged due to the June/July weather events. This Financial Assistance Rate (FAR) will be 91 per cent for response activities and 81 per cent for recovery activities. Marlborough District Council's Regional Land Transport Committee Chair Councillor Scott Adams said this was very welcome news for the region and extended his thanks to NZTA. 'Marlborough Roads staff and contractors have been working to fix more than 780 faults across our entire local roads network caused by these recent storms with an estimated repair bill of around $20M. 'NZTA have acknowledged the challenges we are facing as a Council and responded very positively to our request for this enhanced FAR. We sincerely appreciate NZTA's support in helping us to restore our local roads adversely affected by these recent weather events,' Clr Adams said. The weather event which hit Marlborough on 27 June had the biggest impact across the district. The worst damage occurred in the Awatere Valley, Northbank Road and Port Underwood Road. There were also several slips on Queen Charlotte Drive including a large slip between Ngākuta Bay and Momorangi Bay. 'Since late June, we have had further storm events pass through Marlborough which have caused more damage. Most of the damage has been overslips as well as several roads closed due to flooding,' Clr Adams said. 'Communities are still impacted by the damage with restricted access to Northbank Road due to a very large slip 2km in and also Port Underwood Road from Oyster Bay to Rārangi is still closed because of a large dropout.' Clr Adams said Marlborough Roads estimated the Northbank Road slip at the 2km mark would be upwards of a $1M repair by the time it was finished. 'This slip is 35m high, 60m across and contains around 20,000 cubic metres of material. That's the equivalent of eight Olympic-sized swimming pools. By the time contractors have finished on site, around 2500 truckloads worth of material are expected to have been removed. 'By end of day Tuesday 12 August, the team on site had removed 11,800m3 of this material. Over the past few days this has been at a rate of around 800m3 per day,' he said.
Scoop
01-08-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Repairs Continue On Marlborough's Roads
Press Release – Marlborough District Council Marlborough Roads System Manager Wayne Oldfield said the initial event, which started on 27 June, saw more than 40 roads closed due to flooding and damage. During and following the weather events of late June/early July Marlborough Roads crews have been out in force across the network. Marlborough Roads' System Manager Wayne Oldfield said the initial event, which started on 27 June, saw more than 40 roads closed due to flooding and damage. 'In the days and weeks that have followed, our focus has been to regain access for communities as well as inspect roads to understand the scale of damage, as we prepare to move into the recovery phase,' Mr Oldfield said. 'We always try to strike a balance between going as quickly as possible to clear slips and repair damage versus ensuring communities and industry have some access wherever possible to essential services and amenities.' SH63 sustained major damage at the start of the event at Waihopai Bridge and Andersons Floodway, cutting off Wairau Valley township. 'Multiple crews worked through the weekend to create a temporary bypass route for residents and essential travel. Although the road has access to all vehicles, it remains heavily damaged and extreme caution is advised around work sites,' he said. On local roads damage was spread across the region from Awatere in the south to the French Pass to the north. Northbank and Port Underwood roads were hit particularly hard. On Northbank Road, 2km from the start of the road, a slip estimated to be around 3,000m3 came down, closing the road. 'To regain emergency access, a temporary road was built over slip material. Crews then worked to create a bench so that loose material would be caught, so the road could be opened overnight. Crews continue to work to clear the slip from the top, some 30m above the ground.' Engineers estimate that 20,000m3 of material will need to be removed from the site. Further along Northbank Road and its side roads, works have been undertaken on slip and tree clearance, pavement repairs, and rock armouring and temporary bridge repairs on both Top Valley and Noels bridges. Mr Oldfield said Port Underwood Road was closed due to significant damage from slips, fallen trees and dropouts and up to four crews at once have been working to clear access. This was achieved between Waikawa and Oyster Bay on 28 June. Works remain underway to re-open the road and enable the heavy vehicle restriction to be lifted between Tumbledown Road to Oyster Bay. 'In the Sounds, a large slip on Queen Charlotte Drive near Momorangi closed the road for three days. Kenepuru Road and Moetapu Bay Road also suffered slips, fallen trees and dropouts, as did the French Pass and Pelorus areas. Crews restored access quickly and planned Marlborough Roads Recovery works have continued,' Mr Oldfield said. He acknowledged the ongoing support of affected communities and recognised the impact these weather events had on their day to day. 'We also appreciate the support shown to our contractors and staff. These crews are working hard to get roads restored. We are responsible for their safety and wellbeing and respect and courtesy, both for them and the traffic management measures put in place for your safety, is appreciated,' Mr Oldfield said. For information on road closures visit the CDEM map on Council's website. Notifications on changes to road status are available on the Council website, Facebook page and Antenno app.
Scoop
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Repairs Continue On Marlborough's Roads
During and following the weather events of late June/early July Marlborough Roads crews have been out in force across the network. Marlborough Roads' System Manager Wayne Oldfield said the initial event, which started on 27 June, saw more than 40 roads closed due to flooding and damage. 'In the days and weeks that have followed, our focus has been to regain access for communities as well as inspect roads to understand the scale of damage, as we prepare to move into the recovery phase,' Mr Oldfield said. 'We always try to strike a balance between going as quickly as possible to clear slips and repair damage versus ensuring communities and industry have some access wherever possible to essential services and amenities.' SH63 sustained major damage at the start of the event at Waihopai Bridge and Andersons Floodway, cutting off Wairau Valley township. 'Multiple crews worked through the weekend to create a temporary bypass route for residents and essential travel. Although the road has access to all vehicles, it remains heavily damaged and extreme caution is advised around work sites,' he said. On local roads damage was spread across the region from Awatere in the south to the French Pass to the north. Northbank and Port Underwood roads were hit particularly hard. On Northbank Road, 2km from the start of the road, a slip estimated to be around 3,000m3 came down, closing the road. 'To regain emergency access, a temporary road was built over slip material. Crews then worked to create a bench so that loose material would be caught, so the road could be opened overnight. Crews continue to work to clear the slip from the top, some 30m above the ground.' Engineers estimate that 20,000m3 of material will need to be removed from the site. Further along Northbank Road and its side roads, works have been undertaken on slip and tree clearance, pavement repairs, and rock armouring and temporary bridge repairs on both Top Valley and Noels bridges. Mr Oldfield said Port Underwood Road was closed due to significant damage from slips, fallen trees and dropouts and up to four crews at once have been working to clear access. This was achieved between Waikawa and Oyster Bay on 28 June. Works remain underway to re-open the road and enable the heavy vehicle restriction to be lifted between Tumbledown Road to Oyster Bay. 'In the Sounds, a large slip on Queen Charlotte Drive near Momorangi closed the road for three days. Kenepuru Road and Moetapu Bay Road also suffered slips, fallen trees and dropouts, as did the French Pass and Pelorus areas. Crews restored access quickly and planned Marlborough Roads Recovery works have continued,' Mr Oldfield said. He acknowledged the ongoing support of affected communities and recognised the impact these weather events had on their day to day. 'We also appreciate the support shown to our contractors and staff. These crews are working hard to get roads restored. We are responsible for their safety and wellbeing and respect and courtesy, both for them and the traffic management measures put in place for your safety, is appreciated,' Mr Oldfield said. For information on road closures visit the CDEM map on Council's website. Notifications on changes to road status are available on the Council website, Facebook page and Antenno app.
