LETTERS TO

She had been at a restaurant having dinner with her nephew, and fell off the sea wall on her way back to her car.

What you may not be aware of is that on Thursday evening a woman who was visiting Doubtless Bay, and staying at the Doubtless Bay Villas, had dinner at the same restaurant, and while returning to her car fell off the sea wall in almost the same spot.

Fortunately the tide was not out, and she fell into the water, and although she was grazed on the rocks was not seriously injured. However, she was very traumatised.

We have a ridiculously expensive fence along what is arguably the safest section of the waterfront, while what is unquestionably the most dangerous area is totally unprotected and unlit. The cars park on the edge of the road against a 100mm-high raised nib right on the edge of the sea wall.

For passengers to get into their car they need to perch on this raised nib and step around the car door as they open it. I have been told of a visitor who did this in the dark and fell down the wall, only saving himself by being strong enough to hold himself up, hanging from the door handle. His companions pulled him back up. I am sure there are many other instances we don’t know of.

For me, enough is enough. Grandiose plans are being discussed ad infinitum, and politicians are offering millions of dollars for boardwalk extensions and pontoons. This has been going on for years, and nothing has yet been done in the most dangerous area.

Mangonui is experiencing a significant increase in visitors, who are frequenting the restaurants and returning to their cars in the dark. Unlike the locals, who are aware of the dangers, they are much more likely to fall off the edge.

There is a two-metre drop down a rough rock wall, and when the tide is out, on to, in places, rock-strewn seabed.

I am proposing a practical, low-cost and effective barrier. It consists of 200mm x 50mm timber laid along the concrete nib and a sleeve anchor bolted to it. It has 100mm x50mm x 900mm uprights at two-metre 2m centres and bracketed and bolted to this. To give extra stability these uprights pass down the outer face of the timber plate to bear against the sea wall.

Two 100mm x 50mm rails are fastened to the uprights, one at 900mm and the other at 500mm.

This is a prototype, and while I am confident of its effectiveness, details such as the width of the 200mm timber plate and the size and type of bracket are easily varied.

This is not designed to stop a runaway car, or to stop people climbing through or over it. Neither of those are the danger. As has been graphically illustrated this week, the danger is someone innocently returning to their car in the dark and falling off the wall.

While the design does not meet current standards, it is a design in common use in many areas, and has served well. It is not intended as a long-term solution. It is intended as an effective means of preventing another death or accident. Now.

Who wants that on their conscience, or who wants to be criminally liable?

The design is in keeping with the heritage appearance, being a style used for over 100 years.

I propose it to only be on the 50m section where cars park. When the grand scheme finally arrives, it will be quick and easy to remove.

I have costed the materials, and they come to just over $1000. Add 20 per cent contingency, $1200. I estimate about three hours’ voluntary labour for three or four competent men.

I feel very strongly about this.

What happened this week was totally preventable at minimal cost. The sign promoting the big plan would have cost more.

I am going to press for this to be done this coming week. If necessary, in the interim I will pay for the materials.

In no way is this criticism of the committee working on the grand plan, or their plan, but in the manner of all committees this barrier could