Seal of approval for roads unlikely

What’s sticky, smelly and almost impossible to clean?

Motorists have discovered the answer to what sounds like an unpleasant riddle and it’s related to kilometres of roads on the Ka¯ piti Coast, north of Wellington.

Potentially hundreds of vehicles have been damaged in a botched reseal of busy Paraparaumu roads with Ka¯ piti Coast District Council pointing the finger at its contractor, Downer, for the mistake.

Poor weather is being blamed for four roads of exposed tar and drifts of stone that have damaged windscreens, chipped paint and ruined some people’s carpet.

About 2km of Mazengarb Rd – home to Paraparaumu College and a childcare centre – have been affected, as has Guildford Drive, Hadleigh Court and College Drive.

A Ka¯ piti Coast District Council spokeswoman said Downer’s initial explanation was that poor weather was behind the failure.

Resealing work was sensitive to temperature changes and general weather conditions, she said.

Downer was responsible for any damage claims, but the council was following up with the company on behalf of those affected.

Twenty-six complaints had been lodged with the council by midday yesterday, although more people may have contacted Downer directly, she said.

‘‘Service requests that we have passed through to Downer have included vehicle-related issues like damaged windscreens and stone chips.

‘‘We’re aware that a few residents have requested bitumen in garages and vehicles be cleaned.’’

The council had not paid for the work and would not pay until it was satisfactorily completed. Repairs were expected to be completed mid-week, if weather permitted, she said.

On Saturday, after the council posted an apology online, dozens of motorists claimed to be affected.

Lynette Digovich believed her car had been damaged by the loose gravel on Mazengarb Rd, a route she couldn’t avoid when dropping children off to the college.

Last week, her car made a ‘‘deafening, screeching, metal grinding sound’’ as she travelled the road, something she described as a ‘‘true horror’’ to navigate.

‘‘I was so terrified I had to wait on the side of the road and pluck up courage to carry on driving as it was dark and I had three kids in the car. The sound was super, super loud.’’

After the drive home, the sound stopped but she would get the car checked out by a mechanic.

‘‘I 100 per cent believe the loose gravel on the road lodged somewhere in the mechanical parts of my car, definitely caused damage and somehow dislodged again.’’

Guildford Drive resident Rachel, who did not want her last name used, said her driveway and car had been damaged by the tar and stones.

‘‘It’s a huge mess-up from the council, there’s got to be over 4km of road that’s stuffed.’’

Another resident said his three cars had been damaged with ‘‘tar spit’’ and streaks of thick tar was stuck to his garage carpet like Velcro.

‘‘The tar is sticking for kilometres after you come off the streets, that’s what got me.’’

‘‘I had to pluck up courage to carry on driving.’’

Motorist Lynette Digovich