A petition to the CCC to seal Batchelors and Montgomerys Roads

As Western Valley residents we feel that our safety (as well as friends, visitors and tourists’ safety) is being compromised due to the condition of our roads, Batchelors and Montgomerys.

In total there are at least 30 adults and 21 children. Some children are under 5 years of age and from time to time are pushed up and down these shingle roads in strollers. There are also school children who cycle to and from school each day.

The condition of the road (supposedly because of the current drought and also its shingle nature) is not only in very bad condition but is also dangerous - it has been like this for a considerable time.

The road in places is so narrow and its side ditch so deep that it is not possible for two cars to pass each other. One car must reverse back uphill (in a rear wheel drive car this is often difficult as the stones are like marbles) or reverse downhill (equally difficult and dangerous because it’s so narrow). 4 vehicles have left the road and have had to be towed out in the last 6 months.

Parts of Montgomerys Rd have been eroded by rain to the extent that it has undercut the fence. In places, the fenceline on the edge of the road is simply hanging in mid air over a sheer drop. This part of the road requires negotiation by all residents up both roads in order to reach Little River, and beyond (let alone visitors who don’t know the road.) Parts are so steep that residents have to park their car and walk up their homes.

The steepness of the roads further compounds the issues stated above. The wear and tear on vehicles that regularly commute (daily) over them – suspension, wheel rims, paintwork from flying stones, dust in car parts – dramatically lessens the life of our cars, and adds to the running costs of our vehicles.

We pay our rates and we don’t receive water, recycling, rubbish, or sewer services up these two roads.

There has been a precedent set with the sealing (13/03/13) of part of the Little River/Port Levy road – a road that has only 3 households.

Okuti Valley Rd is sealed right to the top, Whites Rd is sealed right to the top. We feel it is high time Batchelors and Montgomerys roads were sealed.

Please sign this petition if you support us.