Sounds of car racing are not for everyone

MUCH to our surprise recently, there was a car rally/race on Highcliff Rd with the attendant air and noise pollution dispelling our expectation of a quiet weekend.

We were practically locked in at home, not far from Portobello, but noone had bothered to advise us of this early Christmas present.

We had previously been warned of the possibility of road closure, but nothing was confirmed. Allegedly, a public notice had been issued to inform the few who may check these cryptic messages.

We find it ironic that the Dunedin City Council could give permission to the rally organisers (the Otago Sports Car Club) when it seems to want to ban cars from the roads.

From a certain viewpoint, it may be sensible to argue that reducing car traffic improves air and sound quality, and forcing people out of their petrolguzzling cars enhances the general quality of life for residents; as well as making sense in a general awareness of environmental sensitivities and the need for carbon emission reduction.

To give permission for a car rally within city boundaries to us seems utterly contradictory to the principle espoused by the relevant DCC policies.

The last rally we were forced to endure left Highcliff Rd (our main commuting avenue) in bad condition (missing patches of asphalt and pot holes) which took months to repair. We never received a satisfactory answer to our inquiry if this was done at ratepayers’ expense or the rally organisers’.

E. Kolig Portobello

[DCC transport group manager Jeanine Benson replies:

‘‘We are sorry to hear that your letter writer did not feel informed. Peninsula residents were notified of the event by the event organiser on November 24 via a mail drop letter and the organiser also liaised with the Peninsula Community Board about the rally.

‘‘It was advertised in the Otago Daily

Times on December 5 and 12, and placed under notified road closures on the DCC website. This is the process all event organisers must follow. As a requirement of all Otago Sports Car

Club events, residents’ access is open between runs and they always have people on site to assist.

‘‘Any damage caused by the event will be fixed at the event organisers’ expense. This applies to all events, not just car events. We are always keen to improve communications with residents and encourage your writer to let us know how they could be better informed.’’]

Traffic idea

AN interesting article headed ‘‘City’s carbon footprint overstated’’ (ODT, 14.12.20).

Mosgiel is the example of where reducing the city’s carbon footprint can and should be the showcase on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport industry.

Open up the Centre St/Carncross St extension over the Silver Stream on to the North Taieri industrial area in Dukes Rd.

This connects with the recently constructed arterial route of HagartAlexander Dr that was specially designed and built for the purpose of servicing the North Taieri industrial area.

This route was the result of findings from a threeyear consultation period of the council working party, chaired by Cr Weatherall, and adopted by resolution in full by the Dunedin City Council.

This route will decrease the transportation emissions across Mosgiel to the North Taieri industrial area by an enormous 50%plus compared with the council’s proposed freight route that doubles the distance travelled, and its greenhouse gas emissions.

It will also enable traffic that now travels through the Mosgiel shopping and business area to use this industrial route — freeing up a more pleasurable shopping experience, without the industrial traffic.

The council now has the opportunity to ‘‘get two birds with one stone’’ — taking North Taieri industrial traffic out of the shopping and business area, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a shorter route.

Brian Miller

East Taieri ......................................

BIBLE READING: On the first day of the first month you shall erect the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. — Exodus 40:2.