Kaipara motorists are demanding compensation after their car tyres were ripped up by razor sharp road metal, which they said was wrongly laid, and left them with big bills.
Since fresh metal was laid on Arapaoa, Hamlin and Neems roads, south of Dargaville last month a number of residents have had punctures.
Some have suffered multiple flat tyres and wheel damage, and as rural residents, they rely heavily on their vehicles.
Motorists believe the wrong grade and size was used for resurfacing and that has caused the problems.
Local resident Rachael Gedye told RNZ her car had extensive damage from the road, first getting a flat tyre on the day the new seal went down.
“I’ve had two damaged tyres as a result and two punctures.”
The road surface – which she described as sharp, bulky and thick – has also caused issues for her neighbours.
“My immediate neighbour, she’s had four tyre replacements, another neighbours had three punctures and I just found out another neighbour, who is a daily commuter as well for work, has had six punctures.”
Gedye said the damage had been incredibly expensive for both her and her neighbours.
“They’ve gone to a lot of expense, inconvenience that they can’t afford, we’ve got superannuants on our road.
“My elderly neighbour who’s a superannuant, she’s had to replace a couple of tyres as well as several punctures, and is just frustrated, absolutely frustrated.”
So far Gedye has spent $430 on two lots of tyre and puncture repairs.
She said herself and others in the area commute daily, meaning damage to their cars was less than ideal.
Gedye sent a letter to the council complaining about the state of the road on July 24, and did not receive a response until August 12.
She said the response was an acknowledgement of her letter, offering not solutions or compensation for her and her neighbours.
“[It’s] terrible, it’s shocking. I’ve had to follow and chase them up. My initial was a phone call, then I followed up with the letter, a formal letter, and then I’ve only received that reply acknowledgement.”
Gedye said she had heard nothing else from the council and she was still left with a long list of concerns.
“Where was the material originated from? What steps will be taken to ensure this incident doesn’t happen in the future? Is the council prepared to reimburse affected residents? There’s quite a few of us for the cost of punctures and tyre replacements.
“Does the increase in our rates justify the poor quality of the roading?”
Gedye said on Arapaoa Rd some of the sharp rocks and metal has been washed away, due to the heavy usage – but on Hamlin Rd, which only has two users, the surface remains hazardous for driving.
The Kaipara District Council told RNZ it was clear the metal used on these roads did not meet expectations, and it has since had the roads rolled and graded to compact the material.
It said its roading maintenance contractor was investigating the aggregate that was put down and will report back to council.
Meanwhile, there is a formal claims process underway for affected residents which involves the council and contractor assessing claims on a case-by-case basis, and in accordance with liability processes.
rnz.co.nz