Winter is a challenging time for farmers with feeding out and moving stock being essential parts of daily operations. We appreciate our farming community and the cooperation shown when contacted about road conditions.
However, we have seen some particularly muddy roads this winter and want to avoid this in the future. There are a few key practices that rural landowners can do to help protect our roads and keep them safe for everyone:
- Please do not store hay or other materials on road reserves – this poses safety risks, causes damage to the road and berm and is not permitted.
- Please ensure gateways and access points are properly formed, with appropriate drainage to prevent mud and runoff spilling onto the road.
- Use approved stock crossings and signage – this helps limit mess and damage to the road surface and makes it safer for road users.
- Please clean up after operations – roads left muddy or rutted can create real hazards for other users, especially in wet and frosty weather.
Planning winter operations with road conditions in mind helps us all. It reduces costly repairs and protects our roads for all road users.
We want to thank those who have limited mud build-up on roads and those who have cleaned up well. It makes a big difference.
If you have any concerns or would like advice, our team is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing roading@waimatedc.govt.nz
