CRUMBLING SOIL
Regarding Kevin Harvey’s letter regarding Paritutu.
I had one large chunk of rock come away about a week ago, as I was letting some nervous climbers pass and had to hold on to it due to not wanting to let it fall onto kids I had passed earlier at the base of the rock who were fishing.
I contacted NPDC some months back about a large soil pillar between the last two flights of steps that has been slowly crumbling away and was concerned if someone was underneath it should it collapse.
A few months later work on the track started - but this work has all been in the upper chained section - which to date had been no problem whatsoever.
Many bits of what was solid rock, have been removed exposing lots of loose material from dirt to largish size rocks, that now randomly fall down making it hard to get good footing and also sometimes resulting in foot/hand-holds coming away and sending various sized debris raining down on anyone below.
Comparing how it was and is, I feel it’s gone from a lower possibility of a minor accident, to higher probability of a bad accident.
I wonder at the cost of the project; consultant, a few guys working over a week and a half plus a helicopter to shift some of the debris; especially given it’s actually worse and not addressed the initial concern.
I’m at a loss to suggest a possible fix now; short of pressure washing out the looser stuff & pointing the rock in place with cement before any more large chunks fall down on people using the tracks..
John Smith
New Plymouth
STRANGER’S KINDNESS
I would like, through the Midweek, to express my sincere thanks to a young man who came to my rescue on Saturday, October 8 at the Wand carpark.
Earlier I had passed a young couple with a young baby out walking on the Coastal Walkway here in New Plymouth while doing my 5km walk.
As is my custom I greet people passing with a smile and hello. Sometimes I get a reply sometimes not. However in this case the young couple both wished me well with a friendly smile and wave. Such actions certainly makes for a pleasant day and helps me in my walking.
On returning to my car I was dismayed to discover that I had a flat tyre.
After getting the spare tyre out and removing the hub cap I found I was unable to shift the wheel nuts ( as an octogenarian the strength in my hands had gone ).
Wondering how and what to do, I looked up to see the young couple with pushchair returning to their car which coincidentally was parked next to mine.
Without hesitation the man, whose name I discovered was Peter and had just moved to New Plymouth and loving it, volunteered to help. Within minutes all was fixed and a very relieved pensioner was on his way home..
I would like to thank him through Midweek and to add that if one is pleasant, smiling and happy It can sometimes reap its just rewards in strange ways. Peter Sheaf
New Plymouth.
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We welcome letters to the editor, 250 words or less. Published at our discretion and may be edited. Include your address and phone number (not for publication). Email midweek@dailynews.co.nz Deadline: 4pm Friday.