Drivers irked by road closure info

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 446, 28 July 1992, Page 1

Drivers irked by road closure info

The road status information system for the central North Island is improving, but it's not perfect yet. That seems to be the case after problems started last week with road closures due to snow and slips around the region. Getting accurate information to the public was a problem, from Thursday. In the case of the Parapara Highway people were being told the road was closed while road signs showed 4open'. At one stage Ruapehu Construction was advising people the highway was open (the section they administer was open) but the lower section was closed. "The public have been poorly served in this," said Waimarino police sergeant Bob Evans. He said it seemed the problems were a result of the costcutting measures of letting out work to contractors. The problems of getting accurate information out to the public have come about following the contracting out of road maintenance and control. Previously the Ministry of Works carried out all road works and control, and road closure information was disseminated by the Automobile Association.. But now four separate contractors are in control of the various highways in the area, and the AA no longer has the contract to control road status signs. The Bulletin understands the individual contractors have the responsibility of changing the road status signs in their area. But Starline Service Station manager Ken Summerhays said the sign at Raetihi had shown all roads in the area to be open for the past several days, when at times he has known certain roads were closed. He said the situation has improved slightly, with the AA now providing information to member garages as a service to their members. "But the Raetihi sign has said 'open' when I've known for a fact that the road concerned was closed," he said. TransitNew Zealand representative Murray Barnes said he was not aware there was an information problem. He said the procedure was for the various contract managers to advise Works Consultancy, who notify the AA network office. "People should contact the AA if they want road " status information," said Mr Barnes. He said it was impossible to give 100 per cent accurate information at all times, because situations can change very rapidly. Mr Barnes said he would look into the communication problems experienced in the southern Ruapehu area.