Manhole covers a 'hazard'

New Plymouth scooter riders say poorly-set manhole covers are putting them at risk.

David van der Hulst, 20, who rides a 50cc Suzuki scooter, says he is sick of having to drive around manhole covers that are raised. "When you ride a scooter and the covers are sticking out of the road, you can temporarily lose your balance if you hit them."

New Plymouth District Council manager roading assets, Max Aves said covers that are in the line of vehicles have to be flush with the road surface but admitted sometimes this wasn't the case.

"Sometimes the surface cover fails or moves," he said.

If anyone spots a hazardous manhole cover, they should ring the district council so the problem can be addressed, Mr Aves said.

Symon Buffoni , who owns Scooterama, said the covers can be a problem especially if you are not familiar with the road.

"Sometimes they aren't marked and you are totally blind to where they are," he said.

New Plymouth Motorcycle Centre owner Derek Hosking said he hears about incidents with manholes all the time and even motorcycles are affected.

"Customers come in with dented wheels or have fallen off their bikes," he said.

Magnetos Scooter Club president Carl Avery said another problem is that the covers get slippery and cause scooters to skid or slip.

"I have personally slipped on one protruding from the road," he said.

The club's sergeant of arms, Lewis Roach, said this is because over time the covers' surface becomes smooth and after even light rain, they can become extremely slippery.

Mr Aves said that during summer when roads are being resealed there is an opportunity for the covers to be brought back in line with the road surface.

Alisha Taylor is a WITT journalism student

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