Damage to Ashley River Picnic Area, North Canterbury.

[Jerry]

Press Release: Damage to Ashley River Picnic Area, North Canterbury.

On Sunday 1st June 2014 the Rangiora Police were called to
deal with 5 drivers who were using their 4 wheel drive motor vehicles to damage a popular picnic spot on Mt Thomas Road, near Rangiora.

They were seen by a member of the public to drive their 4 wheel drive
vehicles in circles and using the constant spinning of their wheels to plough up the wet ground and spray mud and grass around the family reserve area.

As a result of their driving through the grassed picnic area that is maintained by Environment Canterbury the 5 drivers are being issued $600.00 infringements each, for "Driving in a manner likely to endanger or annoy"

Sergeant John Hamilton of the Canterbury Highway Patrol said the driver's actions were irresponsible and selfish and showed no thought for the families who visit the area and normally would enjoy the reserve.

"Now large areas of the reserve have been turned into areas similar to a muddy swamp and this being done at the start of the winter period it is likely to take some time for the vegetation to recover."

2 photos supplied show the ground after it has been torn up by the vehicles.

1 x Photo shows an area that the drivers were about to drive around before being stopped by Police.

https://www.facebook.com/Ecan.Parks

[Suza]

I must be getting old cause I don't understand why anyone would destroy a public area like that
Glad they were caught but the damage is done

[jonossiksilvia]

glad they caught them but shouldn't have happened at all. seems there is a lot off muppits moving into 4wd scene and soon its just gonna end up as another "boy racer" type situation with everything getting fenced off

[Smurf]

Send the buggers back there with rakes and shovels to fix it back up.
Bloody stupid pricks

[tallsam66]

That area has been like that for a long time now was like that when I passed thru there last year.