Sheep have been roaming freely on the Crown Range road for years, oblivious to the traffic hazard they pose.
But in the wake of increasing reports of vehicle-sheep collisions and calls to round up mobs, Wanaka police have decided enough is enough.
Const Bruce McLean yesterday met the Queenstown Lakes District Council to discuss better stock warning signs, and is keen to talk to farmers about the possibility of fencing the mountain pass.
In the meantime he wants the public to be vigilant to the possibility of stray stock on the Cardrona road.
His actions follow a serious motorcycle accident on Thursday, when two Aucklanders came off their Harley-Davidson after ploughing into a mob near Cardrona No 7 bridge. The couple broke several bones in the accident and are recovering in Dunedin Hospital. One sheep died.
Const McLean was recalled to a nearby area yesterday to muster a mob of 40 stray sheep out of harms way.
The Crown Range road has been completely sealed since April 2001 but the practice of freely grazing both sides of the road has continued. Const McLean said when the mountain pass was a gravel road, motorists expected to encounter stock.
‘‘I have talked to the council because there is not a lot of signage telling people it is a free grazing area. They will be updating their signs. I will also be talking to farmers,'' Const McLean said.
