SH2 side road residents are awaiting a decision by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on whether median barriers will be placed on a stretch of the state highway and will take to their vehicles to protest this weekend.

Lund Rd resident Gino de Graaf is, among others, organising a rolling protest involving vehicles travelling slowly in convoy along SH2 from 10 am to 12 noon on Sunday, June 9.

Gino says the protest is to show the SH2 side road residents’ frustration at the proposal to install median barriers along SH2 – which they believe will restrict access to their homes and also disconnect them from their nearby Katikati community.

“We feel our message to NZTA needs to be louder and from more people, so along with residents from other roads, we are doing a rolling protest,” says Gino.

“The rolling protest will include tractors, utes, trucks and cars displaying signage and using hazard lights. The vehicles will begin at various roads and will endeavour to link up to form a convoy.”

Gino says the convoy will loop between Sharp Rd, Lockington Rd, and possibly Morton Rd. “The roundabouts will allow the following traffic to move through. Expect minor inconveniences in travel time.”

The exact number of participants is unknown, says Gino. “...though we have significant local support as the proposed blocking [median] barriers will affect many rural residents and their visitors”.

Gino says another result of the median barriers is that emergency responses will be delayed, and community connection to services and support will be reduced. “No accidents have occurred at any of the affected intersections for many years.”

Former Western Bay of Plenty District councillor and Work Rd side road resident Mike Williams says of NZTA: “They’ve got to listen to the community”.

Organisers decided to hold the protest on Sunday to minimise disruption to SH2 traffic.

“We need to stay focused on the message: We are not opposed to barriers as a whole but want our connection to our community and environment to stay how it is – not blocked by side road barriers.

“Residents can meet at the beginning of their roads prior to starting [or join any time after] and travel at a reduced speed between roundabouts—Rae Rd to the north and Morton Rd to the south.

“Make signs and add colour and cheer. Display these on your vehicle. Now is the time to do something that supports all our combined efforts so far.  Be counted, lock in the day, act.”

Mike says that when NZTA did a study on this stretch of SH2 in 2016, they decided that the narrow 100km/hr road with intersections was very compromised. “Since then, they have widened the roads reduced the speed limit, and upgraded all intersections.”

NZTA proposes installing 8km of median barriers along SH2 between Wharawhara Rd and Morton Rd as part of their safety improvement works for SH2. These works are planned to begin mid-this year.

The area’s residents are concerned about these plans as they will restrict access to side roads by preventing right-hand turns. Mike says this means “another seven kilometres” of travel to access the side roads. “It’s just ridiculous.”

He says NZTA needs to consider the impact these median barriers will have on the community.

A police spokesperson says police are aware of the planned protest and will monitor and take action where necessary.

“Police will be focused on maintaining public safety while recognising the right to peaceful protest.

“Motorists and residents in the area planning time-critical travel should plan ahead for expected traffic disruption in the area during the morning and through the middle part of the day on Sunday.”

NZTA comment

NZTA director of regional relationships for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato district, David Speirs says, “NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is aware of the planned protest on Sunday and will monitor any disruption to the network. Public safety will be managed by NZ Police.

“NZTA appreciates median barriers mean a change for some people, in terms of disruption to their current travel patterns. 

“Between 2009 and 2018 when our safety improvement project began, 24 people died and 65 were seriously injured on this stretch of SH2.

“The analysis of these crashes shows most were caused by running off the road, head-on collisions, and intersection crashes. The safety improvements we are making are evidence-based road design.

“Median and side barriers already installed on this stretch of SH2 have been hit 47 times since they were installed in 2020.

“They are a highly effective and cost-effective road safety tool that have proven to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in crashes by 75 per cent at locations where they are installed.”