Tar-mageddon on Kāpiti Coast roads

Complaints keep coming about a sticky situation on the Ka¯piti Coast.

Motorists hit by the botched reseal on Paraparaumu streets, north of Wellington, continue to report damaged paintwork, chipped windscreens and tar-covered carpet.

Ka¯ piti Coast District Council infrastructure group manager Sean Mallon said contractor Downer was responsible for the failed work but the council would act on behalf of those affected.

‘‘We’ve had 37 service requests in total. We’re continuing to refer these to Downer, who we understand have received a few more directly.’’

Potentially hundreds of vehicles

‘‘I’m highly disappointed in the quality of workmanship.’’ Ka¯ piti Coast resident Daniel Kearns

had been damaged in the past week. About 2km of Mazengarb Rd – home to Paraparaumu College and a childcare centre – had been affected, as was Guildford Drive, Hadleigh Court and College Drive.

A Downer spokeswoman blamed weather conditions for the failure, which left drifts of gravel and exposed tar over at least 4km.

‘‘Resealing work is sensitive to temperature changes and is designed to cover average weather conditions. The sudden burst of cold weather impacted the resealing job and adversely affected the end result. We regret the trouble that this has caused.’’

Paraparaumu man Jack Nuttall had two cars damaged by the stone chips. He paid $140 to have the tar removed from his tyres, which had turned ‘‘slick’’ due to the buildup.

He praised the council’s help but said that he was frustrated with Downer.

‘‘Perhaps a more proactive response should have taken place with the offer of remediation, rather than the public having to chase up roading contamination.’’

Daniel Kearns said his windscreen was damaged on Monday night when stone chips were thrown up by oncoming cars travelling on Mazengarb Rd.

‘‘I’m highly disappointed in the quality of workmanship that has gone into this road,’’ he said.