Saddle Rd ‘not safe’ - bus driver

A Woodville bus driver who regularly negotiates the Saddle Road says it’s too dangerous to risk passengers’ lives.

John Couchman and his partner regularly drive buses along the route that now serves as an alternative to State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge, which closed on April 24 and has remained shut due to the imminent danger of more slips.

He said no heavy vehicles should be using the Saddle Rd or the Pahiatua Track, the second alternative route.

‘‘It’s not safe. Parts of the road there are collapsing. The buses that go over are worth $1.4 million and they’re carrying a lot of passengers. If one of those buses are going over and the road collapses on them, there’s going to be carnage.

‘‘They reckon they’re going to fix it, but they’ll never fix it the way it should be fixed,’’ Couchman said.

Crowds packed out meetings in Woodville and Ashhurst on Wednesday night to hear from NZ Transport Agency officials and politicians, and have their say.

‘‘The meeting last night showed that they’ve got no idea what to do,’’ Couchman said.

The transport agency told residents that a permanent fix was expected within three years.

A maintenance programme started on the Saddle Rd on July 15 after the agency acknowledged the it was in need of ‘‘critical maintenance’’.

Regional Transport System Manager Ross I’anson said the work was essential to ensure the road, which has been undergoing a $8.5 million upgrade due for completion this summer, was able to safely cope with the increase in traffic volumes.