Three mayors have written to Transport Minister Michael Wood begging for urgent action to address a notorious section of road near Cambridge.
It comes after a person died and another was seriously injured in a crash between a truck and a van on State Highway 1. The crash happened on SH1 near Hickey Rd. The section of road is notorious for crashes and Newshub understands it's the same bend where a car and an ambulance collided last month, killing two people.
On Thursday Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate, Waipā mayor Jim Mylchreest and Waikato District mayor Allan Sanson wrote to Minister Wood begging for something to be done.
"Dear Minister, once again, our wider Waikato community has been torn apart by yet another fatal crash on State Highway 1, south of Cambridge," they wrote.
"One person is dead and another seriously injured on this notorious stretch of road between
Cambridge and Piarere. Just two weeks ago, two others lost their lives on the same bend,
including an ambulance officer.
"Far, far too many people have lost their lives on this portion of State Highway 1 and far too many have been injured."
The letter continued with the mayors calling the number of deaths on the road "intolerable" and "shameful".
"Councils in the greater Waikato have always advocated for safer roads, and will always continue to do so.
"We know detailed designs and safety improvements are already planned for this part of the State Highway. But the reality is that substantial safety improvements are years away. We need
immediate action now; our communities are demanding it and we support their call. Something must change."
They finished their letter by urging Waka Kotahi NZTA to "immediately consider a range of rapid safety measures".
"We are seeking a demonstrable change to the roading environment and ask consideration be given to tools like safe hit posts, rumble strips, reduced speed limits, speed cameras, signage and pavement markings.
"We also request a much more visible police presence on this stretch of road, to be in place
immediately and over a sustained period of time, including over the summer holiday period.
"Quite simply, we are asking for your help to keep our people safe. On behalf of our communities, we look forward to a positive and urgent response to our request."
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson and Police Minister Chris Hipkins were also sent the letter.
The letter comes after Waka Kotahi revealed on Wednesday funding to improve the deadly stretch of road was actually re-prioritised after Labour came into power in 2017.
The business case for a four-lane expressway from Cambridge to the Tauranga turnoff at SH29 was made in 2017. But funding for that project was put on hold with the change in government to Labour following the 2017 election.
"There was a re-prioritisation across the whole network for other investments, but it really only meant minor delays. We have still pushed on with safety improvements," Waka Kotahi regional relationships director David Speirs told Newshub.
Since 2020, a 2.4km flexible median safety barrier from south of Fergusson Gully was installed.
Another 1.6km of median barrier has been installed just north of Maungatautari Road. And a further 4.2km of median barrier is anticipated to be installed in this area in the 2022/23 construction season.
Transport Minister Michael Wood on Wednesday declined to comment to Newhsub or elaborate on why the four-lane Cambridge to Piarere project was delayed.
