Chains for all on Mtn road?

Ruapehu Bulletin, 22 June 1993, Page 3 (Supplement)

Chains for all on Mtn road?

Chains may soon have to be fitted to four wheel drive cars when a chain restriction is placed on the Ohakune Mountain Road. Also, light-weight front-wheel-drive cars may be stopped from using the road when a chain restriction is placed on it. The Ruapehu District Council is to consider the rules governing the Ohakune Mountain Road at their meeting on Wednesday 30 June. At present the relevant bylaw means the

controller of the road cannot legally stop a driver of a four-wheel drive car from using the road when a chain restriction is placed on the road. "Although they can negotiate the road better than single axle drive vehicles, there are usually places on the road that they have difficulty (with) and they cause delays to other traffic," states roading engineer Jim Moore in his report to the council. He states that the traffic controller (Turoa Ski Resort Ltd) believes such vehicles should be required to have chains fitted. At present some drivers, who are aware of the wording of the bylaw, refuse to comply with the contractor's request to fit chains, and compromise safety on the road, stated Mr Moore Also, the contractor claims some front wheel drive vehicles, even with chains, generally do not perform as well as rear wheel drive vehicles fit-

ted with chains. While the change in the bylaw would take some time, the roading engineer has recommended a resolution be passed which would give the contractor the powers requested. His sugg'ested

resolution, to be discussed by the council, reads: "Under Section 353 of the Local Government Act 1974 the Ruapehu District Council authorises the Ohakune Mountain Road Winter Traffic Control Contractor to restrict the

passage of a vehicle which is considered by the contractor likely to cause traffic safety problems within a chain restriction area on the Ohakune Mountain Road, whether the vehicle is fitted with chains on driving wheels or not."