‘Alpine’ fears for alternate highway between Christchurch and Picton

Preparing drivers for “alpine conditions” on the alternate highway between Picton and Christchurch has become a focus for the national roading authority as winter approaches.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has concerns about the inland diversion as sections of the route can be closed several times a year, even on a normal year.

NZTA spokesman Mike Seabourne said the Lewis Pass, on State Highway 7 near Hanmer Springs, normally closed six times a year because of the weather, although usually for less than a day.

It was possible for people to take a longer detour, through Arthur’s Pass, but that road closed “a lot more often”, Seabourne said.

Arthur’s Pass closed up to a dozen times a year, and was sometimes closed for four or five days at a time, he said.

“Will they close at the same time? That happens quite rarely.”

Seabourne was speaking at a public meeting in Ward on Tuesday, where he said NZTA had beefed up its emergency response team.

It would be working to educate people about driving in “more alpine conditions”, he said.

NZTA was focused on clearing slips, at three particular sites along SH1, and the road from Blenheim to Kaikoura was expected to open this December, Seabourne said.

The other focus of the meeting was getting quake-damaged homes closed up for winter.

Rural councillor Gerald Hope made a “personal plea” to builders to make repairs a priority before the cold weather set in.

“People are understanding of the scale of the earthquake, but there is a sense of frustration about trade availability and also getting quotations done.

“The issue is very much around closing homes up for winter, making them warm and dry.”

About 60 people attended the meeting in Ward, while about 30 people attended a similar meeting in Seddon on Monday.

Representatives from the Insurance Council of New Zealand and agents representing individual companies were present, so people could talk through their issues in private.

The meetings were chaired by Marlborough District Council emergency manager Dean Heiford.

An Earthquake Commission spokesman said there were 4940 insurance claims in Marlborough from the November quake, but he was unsure how many of those had been settled.

Despite concerns about the length of time it took to get resource consents for fireplaces, Heiford said the council was trying to push through consents for simple building work as fast as possible.

“Our key driver is heating in winter.”

Several residents said after the meeting they were satisfied with the way their insurance claims were being handled.

Insurance companies were acting as EQC agents, so in the first instance people were dealing directly with their own insurer.

Ward man John Elliott said he was not sure if that system was a good idea.

Stressed and vulnerable people in the community were finding the process difficult to deal with, and it was not always easy to get in touch with insurance firms.

Hope said the heavy demands on the building industry were not confined to Marlborough and were a nationwide issue.

“These are challenging issues. There’s no short-term quick fix.”

Robinson’s Construction owner Phil Robinson said on Monday afternoon the building industry and its associated sub-trades had been under the hammer for the past year.

However, the company would make time for earthquake repairs, he said.

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said on Friday residents were bound to be “anxious and frustrated” about getting work done.

“Inevitably there will be some people without internet access or reliable phone contact and they may be struggling to get any traction with their situation.

“If you’re in that situation, please come forward and make yourselves known to the agencies and support organisations. We know from the past Christchurch and Seddon experience that going into winter is a tough time and we need to do what we can to help.”​

 – The Marlborough Express