| Council campaign to remedy unsafe rural entranceways The Timaru District Council is advising rural property owners to be more aware of their responsibilities when it comes to farm entranceways and driveways. "Entrances and exits need to be planned. Those not meeting the standard required would be given 12 months to get their properties compliant. Council roading engineer Tracy Bell says that gravel and stony entranceways immediately adjacent to sealed roads create hazards and extra maintenance when the aggregate gets dragged on to sealed surfaces by tankers and tractors leaving the farm. The council is planning a campaign to make sure all entranceways are safe and approved. "We are not too concerned about a tractor in and out a couple of times a week, but if it's a commercial operation the regulations were important. ". "It's not commonly known that a consent is required. "There is no charge for an entranceway consent application. "But there will be an amnesty period, where property owners can contact the council to learn just what the needs were," she said. "Stones also cause serious damage to the seal, and once seal starts to pit, weather and traffic exacerbate the process," Mrs Bell said. And she said the consents should not be viewed as just another way local government will make revenue. Mrs Bell said that providing access to and egress from a rural property was not just a simple matter of knocking a hole in a fence and swinging a gate. " . |
Friday, 1 June 2012
Council campaign to remedy unsafe rural entranceways
