'Someone will get seriously hurt'
17 May 2016
Waipa roading staff are warning that someone will get seriously hurt unless people stop stealing and moving road cones.
The bright orange cones highlight hazards at the site of road works and around major building sites. They also guide vehicles away from large steel plates covering deep holes in the road.
A spate of recent thefts has seen dozens of road cones stolen. Police have been advised but council roading staff and external contractors say the biggest worry is the safety risk.
In the latest incident cones were removed from around road works on Te Rahu Road near Pekerau School. Contractors are installing a new wastewater pipe under the road and the cones warn of trenches as well as heavy machinery parked on the roadside.
Cones have also gone missing from the building site at Te Awamutu's new library.
Group manager service delivery Barry Bergin said last year a woman in Taranaki was killed when removing safety barriers that had been deliberately moved onto the road. She was hit by an oncoming car.
"Absolutely the last thing we want is someone getting hurt. The road cones are not there for decoration; they have an important purpose and need to stay where they are," he said.
Most cones are stolen on a Thursday night or during the weekend.
"I don't think there's any malicious intent. People probably see moving the cones as a bit of a laugh," Bergin said.
"But it certainly won't be funny when someone gets hurt and that's our biggest concern."
Council has been forced to replace the cones as well as temporary signage which also tends to "disappear".
"At $35 per cone, it starts to mount up. But the biggest cost is in time because someone has to go back and replace them to warn drivers and others of hazards."
Police have advised they will be keeping a closer eye on problem areas identified by the Council. The community could also help by contacting police directly with information.
Media enquiries, contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of Council) 027 5077 599
