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Despite repeated warnings that truck and trailer units may not use the Mangawhai-Waipu detour route during the SH1 Brynderwyn Hills closure, a truck and trailer got stuck on Cove Road last Wednesday, blocking both lanes and closing the crucial bypass for almost three hours.
Under a bylaw approved earlier by the Kaipara and Whangārei district councils, trucks with trailers have been prohibited from using Cove Road between McLean Road in Waipu and Mangawhai Heads Road from February 26 to March 27, and again between April l3 and May 13.
The restriction was put in place because, during previous Brynderwyn SH1 closures, large trucks had been unable to navigate the hairpin bend on Cove Road, blocking the road and causing severe traffic disruptions. The eastern detour was therefore limited to smaller vehicles, while freight was to use a western route via Paparoa, and oversized trucks a far-western detour along SH14 and SH12.
Trucks with trailers are defined in the bylaw as any heavy trailer and vehicle combination – full trailers, semi-trailers, simple trailers, pole trailers and heavy vehicles towing two trailers, including A- and B-train combinations.
No injuries were reported in last week’s incident, but motorists experienced significant delays. Vehicles were redirected to use the other two detour routes.
A Waka Kotahi NZTA spokesperson said enforcement of the restriction was the responsibility of the relevant local council. A Whangārei District Council spokesperson said it would respond to queries after a debrief has been completed.
Traffic Management NZ staff have been deployed to stop prohibited vehicles from using the route. A Traffic Management NZ representative said an investigation was underway and referred further queries to Waka Kotahi.
