1 minute read
Malvern Cancer Support Group
One of the tools commonly used by Emergency Services, to locate your address, is house numbers or if on a rural road, the Rapid number. These are two different things, but both are important.
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Each rural, residential address should have a Rapid number assigned to it by the District Council. It is a property identification number and is more than just the letterbox number. It should not be confused with a Fonterra, Synlait etc dairy shed number. It should be the number given to a courier, post, or more importantly, Emergency Services should they need to attend your address.
The Rapid number is supposed to be visible at the gateway of the drive leading to the residence on a property. It should be on the left hand side of the gateway attached to a post or most commonly on a blue plastic post in the ground. It will have a 4-digit number in reflective lettering. It should be clear of anything that may obstruct its view, such as long grass, shrubs or structure.
There is a convention for the numbering, so it is important that it is not just taken from the neighbours. The 4 digits are a measured distance from the start point of the road and represent 10’s of metres. Odd numbers are on one side of the road (left), and even numbers on the other, when viewed from the start end. If the odd number is on the right, it means you are travelling towards the start of the road, and the numbers will be getting smaller.
So placing the 4 digit number only on your letterbox can be tricky to locate your address. Especially where letterboxes are in a common place with others, but also, is the number visible from both directions, as you cannot guarantee from which direction help will come. If the 4 digits are not visible, which one is missing, the first or the last? This could lead to confusion as they will indicate more than one possible address.
As we approach winter, remove the old vegetation at your gate so that you are doing everything in advance, to aid a rapid and successful location of your address.
Ross Meder, Darfield St John.
