9 December 2004

Emergency training on median barrier successful

Emergency services and Transit contractors have now successfully completed training on dismantling the type of wire rope median barrier installed on a 700-metre section of State Highway 1 (Centennial Highway), between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki.

Transit contractors and staff from the police and fire services attended a training workshop recently near Hamilton using a section of wire rope similar to the one on Centennial Highway.

Transit’s regional manager, Brian Hasell, said the training session was very successful with everyone impressed by the ease and speed with which the barrier could be dismantled when required.

“It is important that emergency services and Transit contractors are able to dismantle the barrier to allow accidents to be tended to, breakdowns cleared quickly, and to get the traffic flowing again,” said Mr Hasell.

Derek Keatley chief fire officer Wellington north attended the training and said dismantling the barrier was simpler and quicker than anticipated.

“Being able to drop the barrier means that emergency services and support vehicles will have ready access to incidents and will allow us to divert traffic around the scene of an incident on that section of road.”

Mr Hasell said that while the new median barrier will address the site of this year’s fatal accidents, Transit is aware of the community concern about the safety of the remaining four kilometres of the route.

“There is a strong community drive to improve the route and we have given the project priority. Our Board has given us approval to seek funding to establish a firm estimate for installing a barrier over the remaining section of road and we have already advertised for expressions of interest to see what solutions can be offered

“We are very pleased that the Land Transport New Zealand Board at its meeting yesterday allowed us to vary the procurement method. This will enable us to us to make progress more quickly as we will not need separate tenders for different aspects of the job.

“At this stage Centennial Highway will continue to be the main connection between Kapiti and Wellington and we believe it is imperative that Transit takes all reasonable steps to protect the ongoing safety of the route,” said Mr Hasell.

ENDS

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