Demoworx trucks are now a common sight in central Cambridge
People living in Leamington say having an industrial depot smack in their neighbourhood is just asking for trouble.
Tim Bradshaw says a decade of industrial use right in the heart of a residential area “is enough”.
Local resident Tim Bradshaw handed over a petition with 111 signatures to Waipā District Council last week, urging them to shut down the Arnold St depot as soon as possible.
The petition, signed by people from Arnold St, Lamb St, Hall St, Queen St, and Victoria St, calls the council-owned site a “hazard and an accident waiting to happen.”
The depot and the heavy truck traffic hauling roading rock, bitumen, and gear through this quiet neighbourhood make it unsafe, noisy, and hurt property values, the petition said.
“I’ve personally seen many close calls,” Bradshaw told the council when presenting the petition.
On busy days there can be up to 50 trucks driving down Arnold St carrying loads up to 40 tonnes. Usually they run from 7am until 10pm but sometimes they work through the night into early morning hours,” he said.
He was really worried about families – both young kids and older folks – who live nearby.
A lot of children bike or walk to Leamington School. The T-junction at Shelly St and Arnold St is especially risky; he’s seen plenty of near misses there.
“A few years back it got worse when residents were shouting at truck drivers in the middle of the night because they kept waking people up around 4am,” Bradshaw explained.
After one rough night like that he tried contacting the roading contractors working at Arnold St but didn’t get much help. The council leases out that depot to these contractors who’ve been running here for about ten years. He wasn’t sure where it was before – though he’s lived on Arnold St for eighteen years now.
There used to be a loose agreement limiting truck hours between 8am and 8pm but that often got ignored. For about eight years Bradshaw has been trying to work with council staff and contractors on fixing things but hasn’t had much luck yet.
“We have an industrial operation right inside a residential area. Ten years is enough,” Bradshaw told councillors at the meeting.
This recent petition comes after another one delivered on April 15 demanding action against loud trucks shaking roads on Cambridge Road, Pope Terrace, Cook Street/Shakespeare Street and Golf Road.
Waipā Mayor Mike Pettit said this latest petition shows how growing pains are hitting as more people move into the district.
Councillors agreed with him – Dale-Maree Morgan mentioned that heavy truck traffic is definitely something folks talk about a lot around Cambridge. Roger Gordon said trucks cause many traffic problems here along with complaints sent to council regularly.
The councillors accepted the petition; it will go next to their Service Delivery Committee. Council staff will do more research before this gets discussed again on June 17.
Trucks climbing Carters Flat Hill
