Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley has condemned the abuse of road workers by impatient motorists in Alexandra, calling the behaviour “extremely disappointing”. 

Her comments came during a Central Otago District Council (CODC) meeting on Wednesday (October 29), where councillors were receiving an update on the town’s water main upgrades. 

CODC capital projects programme manager Patrick Keenan told elected members a heavy-vehicle detour previously in place around the work site had been removed and temporary traffic lights installed on Earnscleugh Road. 

“We’ve had the odd person getting impatient and abusing some of our contracting staff, which has been a bit unfortunate,” Patrick said.  

“It’s just part of traffic management these days.” 

The mayor said it was “extremely disappointing that road workers undertaking their duty to keep people safe would be abused by members of our public”. 

“I would suggest this council would take a very dim view of that,” she said.  

“There is a reason why traffic management is in place.” 

She noted similar incidents had been reported elsewhere in New Zealand and said she would be happy for the council to go on the record stating “that is not acceptable in Central Otago”. 

CODC three waters group manager Julie Muir said the traffic-light traffic-management system was cost-effective. 

“So, we’d really like the ratepayers to respect the lights as the alternative comes at a significantly higher cost.” 

If drivers continued to ignore or abuse the traffic-light system, the council could be forced to move to a fully staffed traffic-management setup. 

“It would be way more expensive for the ratepayers,” she said.  

The Alexandra water upgrade is part of a wider programme to improve drinking-water quality and supply reliability across the district.  

Patrick told elected members work on Enterprise Street, outside the high school, was “99 percent” complete, and contractors had “got through most” of the work in the Bridge Hill and Earnscleugh Road area. 

“We’re making good progress,” he said. 

Read more: Noise, vibration expected as watermain work continues in Alexandra 

Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]