Emotional reaction to road decision announcement

As news of the Manawatu¯ Gorge alternative route spread some residents were pleased and others emotional.

The NZ Transport Agency announced yesterday it preferred to build a new route north of the Manawatu¯ Gorge, but south of the Saddle Rd.

The chosen route was one of four the agency had put out for consultation after State Highway 3 through the gorge was closed in April when two slips came down on the road.

The announcement meant relief for some farmers in the area, but big change for others.

Stuart Bolton is one of those affected and said the new road was going to cut three farms in half, including his own.

Bolton had a 102-hectare sheep and beef farm alongside his father’s 260ha farm near Ashhurst.

He said since consultation started on the roads he knew he would be affected, as three of the four options presented would cut through his land.

‘‘I had a pretty good feeling [the chosen route] was the way they were going to go.’’

Bolton said there was a bit of emotion around the news as it affected not only his farm, but also his father’s and cousin’s.

They were informed of the decision before the announcement, but Bolton said they only had general plans at this stage.

‘‘What happens from now on is anybody’s guess.

‘‘There’s a fair bit of discussion to be had.’’

His family had been farming in the area for more than 50 years, so Bolton said it was an especially emotional time for his 86-year-old father.

For Hugh Akers the announcement was one of relief as the new road would not affect their property. Akers’ farm has been in the family since 1880 and goes from the banks of the Pohangina River to the foothills of the Ruahine Range.

One proposed option for the new road could have taken a large chunk of the 1650ha property.

‘‘We’ve basically been on hold for quite a long time now.’’

He said he felt for those neighbouring farms who were affected.

Akers said even though he was relieved there had been a decision made, something still needed to be done about the state of the Saddle Rd.

‘‘We have had to move [house] because of the traffic over the Saddle Rd.’’

He said it also affected their farm as it was difficult to move stock because of traffic.

‘‘We have had to get two police cars to stop traffic to get stock across the road... We have had to hold up traffic several times.’’