Lock gates on public easement.

[Militaris]

A local "road" appear to be indefinitely 'closed' the reason given is that "logging contractors" are working in the area. Although the thing which annoys me is that they seem to keep the roads closed even when they are not working in the area. Mainly on weekends.....

I understand that the logging companies would not want random members of the public driving around when trucks are operating in the area so I have no problem with them being closed when the trucks are actively working. But it appears to me they keep the roads closed even when it is not the case.

The road has a public "easement" to the coast. I always thought that the reason for a 'easement' is to allow public access to the area. If a private business has a such a large impact that it requires the 'easement' to be kept "closed" almost indefinitely shouldn't the business create their own alternative access so not to disallow the rights of the public to access the area.

[BrentC]

Where is it - exactly

I will view the legal data and advise

If it is a legal road - there is specific law covering it - that does not give anyone the right to close it - other than a council for road improvements - even then only for a short time.

[BrentC]

A local "road" appear to be indefinitely 'closed' the reason given is that "logging contractors" are working in the area.

Logging companies have no more rights than you - it is not a correct or appropriate reason to close access to a legal road.

[Militaris]

I am not sure it is a 'public road', the sign which I found buried in the grass said there was a public access easement along the road.

The 'road' I am mainly thinking about is called "Hori Bay Road", it goes from SH6 east of Nelson to the coast.

If you have the time and if it not to much trouble, could you check the status of "Kokorua road" north of where it joins Elizabeth stream road.

Lastly, Bartletts Road / bartletts Creek road. It is in the richmod range in Marlborough. This is one of the many roads which is often closed during the week for logging. It also forms quite a long loop track with several other roads in the area.



Lastly. Slightly off topic, I own a freeware version of 'Real estate topographical map software' from Terralink. When I zoom in the topographical maps get replaced with property boundaries. In the zoom in mode quite a few of the minor roads 'dissapear'. Maybe the roads which remain are offical roads while the ones which dissapear are not.

[BrentC]

There is no legal road reserve into Hori Bay

blue legal road reserve - unless permanantly closed in last 2 years - but won't be because it can take 3 years and a lot of public meetings to officially close a road



note that the forest has a public access easement certificate issued under the crown forests act 1989 - might not be valid anymore - but worth checking.



whereas bartletts is all Legal Road reserve



Let us know when and where Bartletts gets closed - ie take a pic of teh locked gate and any signs and I will follow it up with the appropriate local authority


right click and push view image to see the whole picture

[Militaris]

Thanks, I was not confident that Hori bay was a 'real road'. Just annoyed that it is the only 'acess' to the coast in that area. I might do a bit more research into the easement.

Bartletts creek road is currently only closed during the week. As far as I know there is no locked gates or anything simply a DOC sign. I would take a photo next time I drive pass. I rarely have a desire to drive up there during the week but it is interesting to know that it is potenitally unlawful to give such a road a 'closed' status to aid in commericial logging.

This is a quote from the doc website
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=38589

(for the week beginning 28 February 2008)

Roads closed into Mount Richmond Forest Park in Marlborough are: Briggs Rd and Davies Rd access to Mt Riley/Mt Sunday Tk; Stories Ck Rd access to Stories Ck DOC land; Bartlett’s Ck Rd, access to Quartz Ck Mt Royal Route, open weekend only.

(I added the bold text)

[DaveM]

You will find contractors prefer to keep the roads closed to the public even during weekends due to the theft and vandalism of equipment.
One I find has been closed for over 2 years runs from the Damn up the Maitai (start of Maungatapu) to the top of SH6, never had a chance to go through, and never seen active logging in there

[UBZ]

One I find has been closed for over 2 years runs from the Damn up the Maitai (start of Maungatapu) to the top of SH6

There's a hole bunch of roads up in there. Friends of mine have told me about driving up in there years ago.
I have ridden a mountain bike along a few of the roads, quite popular with the mountain bikers .

I always assumed that the roads were forestry or closed under bylaw