Two fords on Golden Hills Rd have claimed two more cars as drivers continue to ignore warning signs when it’s in flood.
Frank Goeddert who owns a tree company right next door to the Appleby fords has had to rescue four drivers already this year and blames “townies” who don’t know what a ford is. “Just five minutes ago I could see a car edging into the water and at the last second they pulled out,” he says. “Ongoing? Is it ever? Last week there were two cars and one of the drivers asked why there wasn’t a sign – well there is a sign.”
A ford is a much cheaper form of river crossing than a bridge but can become impassable after heavy rain or during flood conditions, which was the case on the weekend with the water levels up to two metres. Vehicles can become stuck when the water level comes above the engine, causing the air intake to suck up water.
Tasman District Council remains certain that the warning signs are clear enough, but Frank has other ideas. “That sign [which shows how deep the water is] is just not good enough. The townies aren’t used to water going across. People look at Google Maps and assume everyone else must be driving through this. People have no idea how to approach it, you say pass with care but people come down at 100 km/h.”
There is a ford in Nelson on Manuka St, although it is closed off when in flood.
