Expensive new road markers ripped up
BY CLAIRE CONNELL
Relevant offers
Residents' complaints about "horrendously" noisy rumble lines have prompted a $10,000 removal job.
Works Infrastructure contractors ripped up rumble lines at Koromiko after six residents complained about the noise they made when vehicles drive over them.
The rumble lines were installed less than two weeks ago as part of a New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) $200,000 road upgrade project to make roads between Weld Pass and Lake Grassmere, and Picton and Tuamarina safer.
Marlborough Roads manager Frank Porter said after the rumble lines were installed on curved parts of the road at Koromiko, the company received complaints from residents, so a two-kilometre stretch of the lines between Speeds Rd and Freeths Rd at Koromiko was removed last week.
The removal was paid for by the NZTA, which is funded through fuel excise duty and road user charges.
Koromiko resident Penny Fredericks said her partner, Scott Madsen, complained to Marlborough Roads about the rumble lines about five nights after they were first installed.
"It was like a buzzing noise. They were keeping us awake at night. We have two young children. It was driving us batty," Miss Fredericks said.
She could still hear the noise of rumble lines further down the road, but she was "quite happy" about the removal of the lines.
Koromiko resident Simon Tripe said he knew of three neighbours who had complained to Marlborough Roads. "It's absolutely justified. It's horrendous."
He said the noise was so loud some residents could not hear their telephones ring.
Mt Pleasant resident Lorna McMahon she had "grumbled" to neighbours and her husband, Chris, about the "sudden loud noise".
"I worry when I hear the noise, because they're going over the line."
The rumble lines were put on a straight area where people tended to drive fast and pass a lot, she said.
But a Picton Elevation resident, who did not have the rumble lines outside her house, said they were a "godsend".
"I don't think they should be removed – it's a safety issue. If you live on State Highway 1, you should be prepared for noise anyway."
Koromiko resident Russell Gent said he lived back from the road, and did not hear the noise from the rumble lines.
"I don't like them, but if they're going to stop people from driving into innocent people, then it's working, and I can tolerate it."
Mr Porter said the company expected to adjust areas where problems arose, and this was included in the budget.
The noise highlighted the trend of motorists to cross the centre line in the area, and the NZTA would now be conducting more research in the area to determine why drivers were doing it, he said.
Mr Porter said Marlborough Roads treated all complaints seriously and decisions were made on a case-by-case basis.
WHAT ARE RUMBLE LINES?
Rumble lines are raised plastic ribs spaced at regular intervals along or adjacent to a road's edge line or centre line.
The New Zealand Transport Agency says they help prevent drivers from running off the road or straying across the centre line, because they can be felt and heard as car wheels cross over them.
They help to reduce crashes caused by driver inattention or fatigue, because the noise and feeling of the strips can provide a wake-up before a crash happens.
They can also help to prevent head-on crashes if put in the centre line.
- The Marlborough Express
Sponsored links
Newest First
Oldest First
put them in, take them out, put them back AND stop wasting money?russell...
I understand that new noise is going to take a bit of getting used two but if you chose to live next to a State Highway it is going to happen. I beleive that if they are making noise it is also identifing a problem that needs addressing. I am a volunteer Fireman and have had enough of cutting people who cross the centre out of there cars and those who are the incent party in head on crashes. I say put them back and stop wasting money.
Roaming horse stops cricket match
Contemporary cultural centre for Grovetown
Appeal to aid widow and children
Gallop reclaims spot in NZ team
Planes and people 'do not blend'
Beer fest to donate to charity
Wino's is all a matter of good taste
Supermarket, meat, salmon & children
They forgot to mention they are ok with the noise from the railway line which is closer than the road and the picton airport just down the road, but put in some rumble lines and the whining is louder than the planes... Madness...