Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will remove the temporary speed bumps on State Highway 2 through the Waipawa township.
The speed bumps were installed earlier this year to slow traffic while the Four Square store, which was damaged by fire, was undergoing demolition.
NZTA said the speed bumps were a temporary measure to ensure safety while the demolition was underway, and are now causing damage to the surrounding road surface, which is creating a new safety risk for motorists.
The removal work will begin at 4am on Saturday, and is expected to take approximately five hours to complete, and no significant traffic delays are expected.
The Agency said it is aware businesses in the township are concerned with speed and wish to see speed limits lowered and the speed bumps remain in place.
As an interim measure, Waka Kotahi said it would look to re-locate an electronic Speed Indication Device sign, and continue to work with the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council and local Police to explore options to help improve safety and reduce speed of traffic travelling through the town.
---------------------
No one was injured following a motor vehicle crash near Tikokino on Wednesday evening.
The two-car crash happened just before 6pm on State Highway 50, north of the Gwavas Road turnoff.
The northbound lane was blocked for a time, and one vehicle was said to have been extensively damaged.
-----------------------
The Government’s new COVID Protection Framework comes into effect from today.
Local areas moved into the Orange Traffic Light setting at midnight, meaning no restrictions for businesses and venues that use the My Vaccine Pass for fully vaccinated people.
Businesses that don’t use the My Vaccine Pass, or people who are unvaccinated, will face some restrictions.
Premises such as supermarkets, pharmacies, service stations and dairies are not required to use the My Vaccine Pass.
The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council says it has been working through the changes, and at this stage the Central Hawke’s Bay Municipal Theatre is the only Council owned facility that has become a vaccine pass site.
Council Chief Executive Monique Davidson said all other facilities would remain open to all of the community, with correct safety protocols put in place where necessary.
She said Council are working with the information that they have in order to make the best plan possible, however are conscious that information may come to light which triggers the need for further change, adding that the protection and safety of the community is paramount.
---------------------------
The final of the Stevenson and Taylor sponsored Country Social Cricket Cup will be played this Sunday.
There will be two games of cricket at the Sherwood cricket grounds, with the playoff for 3rd and 4th between Wallingford and Onga Tiko starting at midday.
Sherwood and Waipawa will play for the Stevenson and Taylor Country Social Cup at 3pm.
Meanwhile the Waipawa Butchery sponsored CHB Premier team will play Havelock North in Round 3 of the Murray McKearney Memorial T20 Cup tonight.
Central Captain Dom Thompson will be a guest on the Centralines Sports Show tomorrow morning to talk about tonights game.
