Ban on long vehicles on Tapu-Coroglen and the 309 Roads

Published on 22 February 2023

Vehicles longer than 12.6 metres are now prohibited from using The 309 and Tapu-Coroglen Roads unless they are are accessing properties on these roads or carrying out vital work such as emergency transportation or authorised repairs.

Our Council has passed new amendments to the restrictions under its Traffic Control Bylaw banning long vehicles from these two rural routes, following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on our roading network.

Both roads are narrow, are primarily unsealed and have a number of very tight corners. Long vehicles cannot navigate them comfortably, and trucks have crashed or been stuck regularly in the past. The process to recover a vehicle is expensive and often damages the road. The road can remain closed for hours or days, shutting off people’s access to properties located along that road.

The 309 Road runs from the east coast of the Coromandel south of Whitianga to the west coast south of Coromandel Town. The Tapu-Coroglen Road traverses both coasts of the Coromandel, from Coroglen in the east to the west coast at Tapu.

The closure of SH25A due to storm damage could have exacerbated these issues, as vehicles now have to take a different route to access the Coromandel.

In order to address concerns about these two roads, our Council has agreed on two new restrictions under Clause 9 of the Bylaw, to prohibit vehicles of 12.6 metres or more from using them. We currently regulate the use of Council-controlled roads within our  district through the Traffic Control Bylaw which empowers us to restrict traffic in a variety of ways, by adding new restrictions into the Bylaw’s Schedules.

Signage for the new restrictions will be placed at the entrances to both roads, with advance warning signs placed on the State Highways. These are being manufactured and will be installed soon.

Additional signage on the issues with the roads and the hazards on the route will also be provided at each entrance so that drivers of vehicles not covered by these regulations will be aware of the conditions and the need for being alert to hazards.

We have also contacted transport operators and other businesses to make them aware of the new changes.

FAQs on the prohibitions on Tapu-Coroglen and The 309 Roads

Q: What are the exceptions to the prohibitions, and where do they come from?

A: The new prohibitions do not cover overlength vehicles that are using the road for one of the following purposes:

• loading or unloading of goods or passengers at any property whose access is by way of the road
• providing an emergency service in or near a road from which it has been prohibited and for which alternative access is not available
• undertaking maintenance on a road from which it has been prohibited and for which alternative access is not available
• undertaking maintenance of a network utility provider's assets on or near a road from which it has been prohibited and for which alternative access is not available
• refuse collection vehicles, while in the act of collecting refuse.

These exceptions are in Clause 9.3 of the Traffic Control Bylaw, which limits Clause 9.1.

Q: Does the ban cover a ute and trailer combination, if the combination’s total length is  12.6 metres or longer?

A: Yes, these restrictions would prevent a ute and trailer combination that is 12.6 metres or longer from driving on The 309 and Tapu-Coroglen roads, unless one of the exceptions apply.

Q: Does the ban cover a B-train vehicle that is 12.6 metres or longer?

A: Yes.

Q: Does the ban cover a rigid vehicle that is 12.6 metres or longer?

A: Yes.

Q: What other routes are available for overlength vehicles?

A: The State Highway network should be used by overlength vehicles. New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi is responsible for state highways (including SH25 and SH25A). Check Waka Kotahi’s journeys map for information and the status of state highway roads on the Coromandel.

Key information sites to check on road conditions

Council road updates will be published on our website and Facebook page. Check Waka Kotahi for State Highway information and MetService for weather updates.