Truck ban could increase street safety concerns

BY GRANT JOHNSTON

Ask the truck drivers what it is they hate most about the proposed ban on trucks in the CBD during business hours and the answers might surprise you.

While some might see the truckies as uncaring oafs just out to find the fastest route through the centre of town, the issue simply isn’t that simple. Dibble Transport driver Aaron Pevreal says pushing the trucks onto residential streets will be tough on residents as well as truck drivers.

There’s the extra noise, vibrations and wear and tear on the streets — but more importantly the safety issues raised when heavy traffic and residential properties are mixed.

‘‘It is a much more unsafe scenario with trucks travelling on residential streets than through the main street,’’ Mr Pevreal says. ‘‘We’ve all heard the stories about kids screaming out from properties on bikes, perhaps being chased by a brother or sister, and next thing they’re under the trailer. You can’t stop a truck like you can a car, especially when it has a load on and you’re travelling downhill.’’

Dibble Transport manager Nod Chandler has become the unofficial spokesman for transport operators, who unanimously oppose the proposed bylaw. He says trucks travelling through the main street are generally slowed down by other traffic, moving slowly between roundabouts and negotiating pedestrian crossings, intersections etc. Mr Chandler says safety is always a factor, including when travelling through the main street, but putting a much higher number of trucks past kindergartens and schools, as well as residences, is a recipe for disaster. He says the transport operators are well aware that the presence of trucks and tankers in the main street is not ideal.

‘‘But until we have a real alternative, like the Western Arterial, then pushing us out onto residential streets seems certain to cause more problems than it solves.’’

Mr Chandler has a scrapbook full of cuttings of newspaper articles and letters to the editor on the subject, which he started collecting in 2004. He does not claim to be a roading expert, but believes the estimates for work involved in removing trucks from the main street are ‘light’, while the estimate for the alternative route seems to have skyrocketed in recent years.

‘‘It seems to me if this bylaw goes ahead, it will be many, many years—if ever—that the Western Arterial is actually built to properly solve the problem.’’

Mr Chandler says people have been eager to sign petition forms opposing the bylaw, placed at a number of outlets around Te Awamutu (including Womenz, Dibble Transport and Te Awamutu Bulk Spreaders).

‘‘I have yet to speak to anyone who is not a councillor who agrees with sending the trucks out onto residential streets. I’ve even had business people and cafe owners telling me they can’t see what all the fuss with trucks in the main street is about.’’

There was concern expressed about the ‘displacement’ of trucks at a public meeting in town last week organised by Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce. Chamber president Chris Smith says there was a good turnout at the meeting, including Chamber members, transport operators and members of the public. The Chamber carried out main street truck surveys several years ago which indicated truck numbers using Alexandra Street had risen significantly. Mr Smith says this was confirmed by Council’s own road counter surveys.

‘‘Chamber members are concerned about moving trucks onto residential streets, particularly around school times.’’

Mr Smith says the Chamber will be making a submission on the Heart of Te Awamutu proposals, following member input. He says there was discussion at last week’s meeting about the fact heavy traffic counts are continuing to rise and about waiting for the Western Arterial. There was talk about ways of funding that, including making it a toll road.

Chair of the Heart of Te Awamutu Committee, Michael Cox was asked to take a request to Council for funding options and ratepayer costs of doing the Western Arterial to be investigated.