YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER |AUGUST 2022 | No.240
THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE Email coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com | ph 021 724 001 | online coatesvillechronicle.com Photo courtesy of Marty Cantell
Sunnyside Road flood, 12 July
Fears Rise Over Flooding on Sunnyside Rd
C
oatesville locals concerned about flooding on Sunnyside Road during recent storms are taking action to improve safety for all road users. The Sunnyside Road Residents Group presented their concerns at the July CRRA committee meeting, asking the group to help them achieve traction with the Rodney Local Board. Owen Aspden, a Sunnyside Road resident and the group's spokesperson, said recent flooding on 12 July had caused a car to become stranded, needing to be towed out by residents. The driver, a grandfather who had two of his grandchildren in the car, became stranded after their vehicle entered roughly 900mm-deep flood water and the car's engine cut out. In this situation, the electric windows don't work and it can be difficult to safely get out of the car, says Owen. The flooding is from the Rangitopuni Stream overflowing during heavy rainfall and when this happens the flood water can be fast moving and dangerous. According to the Sunnyside Road
0272 984 000
Residents Group there are two areas on the road where it is below the flood water level. They propose raising the level of the road in these two locations to reduce the risk to road users. "We don't want to wait until the worst case scenario happens and someone loses their life before action is taken," says Owen. At the moment, residents on the road place traffic cones at the flooded areas to make motorists aware of the danger as they approach. However, Local Board member Louise Johnston says, although this is helpful, there are official channels of support that can assist in these emergency situations. "The most important thing people can do if they see the road start to flood is to immediately contact Auckland Transport," says Louise. "They will respond within an hour and can close the road if necessary. And if the situation is dangerous, then people should also call the Police," she says. The Rangitpouni Stream has always flooded but with extreme weather
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events on the rise and development planned for Dairy Flat, Sunnyside Road residents fear flooding will worsen if nothing is done. "The Rangitopuni Stream's catchment area extends to Dairy Flat and the increased amount of run-off caused by hard surfaces and insufficient drainage will send even more water downstream to Coatesville," says Owen. The group also says much of the stream is congested with overgrown pest plants that prevent water from getting away and this needs attention. Finally, the amount of traffic now using Sunnyside Road as a shortcut is adding more risks as Owen says nonresident motorists are not aware of the areas that flood. The next move for the Sunnyside Road Residents Group is to present to the Rodney Local Board at an upcoming meeting where they will seek funding from AT and Healthy Waters to support new signage and safety improvements.
If the roads become flooded and there is a risk to the safety of people or property, call AT on 09 355 3553 Louise Johnston, Rodney Local Board
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