Transporting New Zealand says improved access arrangements during urgent repairs on Tiniroto Road are a positive step after initial closure plans raised concerns about disruption to freight and the local community.
The industry body says work on the road is critical ahead of winter, given its poor condition.
Transporting New Zealand membership manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman says the sector supports the repairs.
“We strongly support this work getting done. Tiniroto Road has been in a very poor state and repairs are critical for safety, resilience, and keeping freight moving,” Calvi-Freeman says.
However, he says the original plan for a full closure — announced on a Friday afternoon for work starting the following Monday — left operators with little time to adjust.
“This route is critical for logs, livestock, aggregate and other freight moving in and out of the region. With limited alternative routes, a full closure would have had a major impact on these freight movements and the local economy,”
Following discussions with Transporting New Zealand and the Tiniroto Community Association, access arrangements were revised.
A stop/go system was initially used for the first two days, before being replaced with four daily convoy openings, all of which are open to trucks. The convoy times are 8am, 10am, 1pm and 2.45pm.
Calvi-Freeman says the changes provide greater certainty and flexibility for freight operators and local road users.
“We worked closely with council and the community to find a more practical solution, and we appreciate the willingness to respond quickly to those concerns,” he says.
Transporting New Zealand says ongoing collaboration will be important to ensure essential road maintenance can proceed without significantly disrupting rural communities and supply chains.
