Cars off sand not the solution
Foxton Beach’s uneasy double attraction as a play area and a road is a concern for several Horowhenua candidates as summer and an election loom, but most believe banning cars from the coastline is not the answer.
Lowering the speed limit, employing a dedicated beach warden and relying on beach users to report hoons were options favoured by Kere Kere Ward candidates canvassed by Stuff on beach access and safety.
Only Kere Kere ward hopeful Tina Waelen said she would consider supporting a vehicle beach ban as a means to improve beach safety for children and other bathers.
The presence of cars on the beach was a hotly debated topic earlier this year. Foxton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club called for a 10kmh speed limit near where families bath and play between the flags, while one resident wanted all vehicles removed from the beach.
But for many beach-goers, cars cruising on the sand is part of the community’s culture and appeal.
Waelen said people wanting to fish, a common reason why cars were driven on the sand, could park in the car park and walk. The beach should be a place where parents could let their children play without fear of vehicles.
‘‘What’s wrong with walking a few hundred metres? There’s no reason or need for the beach to be used as a public road.’’
Waelen saw no reason to change the rules if the majority of the community was happy, but was willing to advocate for those who wanted cars off the shore.
The Land Transport Act classifies beaches as roads and it is up to local authorities to set speed limits. The speed limits on Horowhenua beaches were dropped to 30kmh from 100kmh in 2017.
Foxton Community Board member and candidate Jenny Lundie said it was impossible to eliminate the ‘‘idiot factor’’ and a minority of people would continue to drive dangerously.
She thought Foxton Beach residents needed to be more proactive about reporting bad driving to the police.
‘‘What I would like to see is people being proactive, by taking photos and sending them to the police. The police need to make an example of these idiots.’’
David Allan said vehicle access allowed the elderly and people with disabilities to access and enjoy the coastline.
Foxton’s beach wardens should work in a paid capacity, supported by the district council, he said.
The wardens are licensed by the council and work closely with police to report reckless behaviour and encourage safe driving. By making it a paid position, there would be greater accountability and higher expectations for beach monitoring, Allan said.
Brett Russell supported lowering the speed in front of the surf club to 10kmh, but was cautious of further rule changes. He did not want the beach to become a ‘‘nanny state’’.
Driving on the sand was part of the Foxton Beach lifestyle, he said.
John Girling said motorists on the beach should give way to pedestrians and lower their speed when driving around children to keep the beach safe for all users.
Ross Brannigan said banning cars would ‘‘destroy a community like this’’.
He said driving on the beach was the town’s biggest attraction.