Vehicle length restrictions will remain on two major roads in the Marlborough Sounds as storm repair work continues.
A checkpoint on Kenepuru Road soon after it reopened. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
Since Queen Charlotte Drive and a section of Kenepuru Road reopened after last July's storm, temporary length restrictions have been in place.
Regional transport committee chair Councillor Francis Maher said the roading network is still under repair and the restrictions reduced the amount of traffic and the risk of further damage.
"We realise some people will be unhappy with the continued restrictions, but the reality is the Marlborough Roads Recovery needs to repair the roads and only those vehicles that can safely navigate the damaged sections of these roads should be able to use them."
A section of Queen Charlotte Drive in the wake of the storm. Photo: Facebook / Marlborough District Council
The official recovery transition period ended this month.
Marlborough District Council's planning finance and community committee approved the recovery team's request last week to continue the temporary length restrictions.
It is in the last stages of completing the detailed programme and timeline for re-establishing the roading network in the affected areas.
Queen Charlotte Drive has had a vehicle length restriction of 12.6 metres from Shakespeare Bay through to Dalziels Bridge at Linkwater in place since 1995.
The continuation of the current post-storm restrictions will apply from Dalziels Bridge to the Havelock Transfer Station.
A continuation of the current temporary vehicle length restriction of 8 metres will apply to Kenepuru Road between the Onahau Bay Road (Mistletoe Bay) intersection and the Torea Road intersection.
Maher said the restrictions impacted those in the farming sector who rely on trucks for movement of livestock and supplies.
As a result, the rural barge subsidy will continue through to June 2023, with the restrictions to expire on or before that date.
Meetings are planned with the affected Sounds' communities to provide further information on the planned recovery works and expected timeframes.