No-stopping zone at water park

Stopping on State Highway 6 near the Kiwi Water Park at Lowburn will be banned from next summer, because of concerns for the safety of people pulling out into 100kmh traffic from the entrance to the water park.

Signs warning about the prohibition began to go up last month so motorists would have plenty of notice about NZTA’s expectations when summer arrives and the park reopens.

The ban applies to 1.3km of SH6 south of the Lowburn Bridge.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) consulted on the proposal to remove roadside parking near Kiwi Water Park before deciding on the no-stopping rule.

NZTA safety engineer team leader Roy Johnston said the aim was to discourage people from parking around the entrance to the inflatables park when there was dedicated, safe parking on Land Institute NZ land nearby that people could use.

"This change is essential given SH6 has a 100kmh upper speed limit so anyone pulling out on to the highway is risking a serious injury crash or worse," he said.

Twenty submissions were received on the Lowburn no-stopping proposal.

Eight were in support and five were opposed, of which two related to the recently installed boundary fence.

One submission related to the operation of Kiwi Water Park.

Seven were neutral or provided feedback on matters outside the scope of consultation.