Failings in the rural stormwater networks during Cyclone Gabrielle and earlier flooding added to the impact on Franklin’s road network, Auckland Transport has been told.
Franklin Local Board has acknowledged the work undertaken by Healthy Waters and Auckland Transport during the storms but says better maintenance of the rural network would have helped.
Board chair Angela Fulljames says Auckland Transport has been asked to prepare advice and return with a plan on how to address any lack of drain maintenance in the road corridor.
“We’ve also drawn attention to drains around Pukekohe Hill roads, Pollok Rd and all those connecting to and impacting on the Whangapouri Creek.
“Auckland Transport has been asked to come back with advice on any barriers that may have contributed to the perceived failure of the network, so that we can support it to address those issues.”
A further request, that AT return with low-cost options for mitigating the risk to the public at known flooding points such as Subway Road in Pukekohe and roads in the Wairoa/Clevedon Valley, has also been made.
“Roadside rain gauges are an example of a low cost and quick intervention that could help,” Fulljames says.
“We need to look at low-cost options that can be implemented now if they will help the public use our roads safely during heavy rain, ahead of long-term solutions.”
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