Intercepted Letter of the Month – September 2024

From: Pete Roberts, Featherston 

To: Mike Butterick, MP

Mike, 

There is an article in the latest (August) Martinborough Star about this (Waihenga) bridge which has been closed since last night (August 18) due to the weather. 

It appears, reading this article, that the regional council needs to request, in its Regional Land Transport Plan, that NZTA include a replacement bridge that is fit-for-purpose – safety concerns have been identified, two trucks cannot pass each other, for one. 

Your National Party leader reckons he has influence with NZTA so could you please ask him to prioritise this work because _ looking at the time it has taken to build a new road for the Manawatu Gorge _ there is not enough time to build this replacement before it fails.

NZTA said a few years ago that it is good for another ten years but it is likely, on their estimate, to have failed before they even start planning.

By the way the Featherston library was closed today (August 19) because the staff could not get to work, presumably because of the bridge closure.

Pete Roberts, Featherston