Monday 06/01/2014 Letter to the Editor – The Taranaki Daily News Newspaper
Bell Block was my home and schooling as a young person and although I now reside in South Taranaki, my daily travel often leads me to travel my old stomping ground roads. The closing of the passing lanes is a dangerous and potentially life- threatening accident waiting to happen. Good, the speed limit is lowered, but also the reverse should have been considered – the extended linking of the new Bell Block bypass roading system to these lanes in question, and widening and linking to Waitara. If a fatality happens in the present situation, unlike in Christchurch or other New Zealand engineering fiascos, we will know which council and roading change individual to lay a lawsuit, or manslaughter charge, against. Let’s hope, if someone is killed because of this stupid decision, it is one of their family, as often this is the only way to get through over bureaucratic decisions like this. It’s sad but if left as at present the chance of an accident occurring has been increased considerably, and I believe it is inevitable.To the people responsible, don’t start 2014 with heartache and ”what ifs” – reverse this decision immediately and go back to the drawing board so we can all have a happier new year. LINDSAY MAINDONALD, Eltham, South Taranaki.
