Clean it yourself: contractor's solution to damaged cars after botched reseal in Kāpiti
At least 100 complaints have been received about damage from the roads.
Sorry about tar-mageddon, here's a couple of rags and some cleaning fluid.
The response to a botched road reseal on the Kāpiti Coast has left at least one resident fuming, and others bemused, after being given two rags and a bottle of solution to fix his tar-splattered cars and garage.
Blair Thorn is one of at least 100 people who complained to contractor Downer following roadworks that went horribly wrong in mid-April that resulted in tar spots on their vehicles and cracked windscreens.
Thick tar patches mark the floor of Blair Thorn's garage.
The Paraparaumu man was annoyed at the DIY approach to the damage.
READ MORE:
* Tar-mageddon causes chaos on Paraparaumu roads
* Faulty reseal damages cars and property
* Leaky expressway needs 14km of repairs
"If they're not prepared to do it, they can pay the cost of someone else to do it. "
The floor of Blair Thorn's garage after he drove through a botched road resealing on Mazengarb Rd, Paraparaumu.
Earlier this month, kilometres of busy Paraparaumu roads were left with exposed tar and drifts of loose stone in the failed reseal by the Kāpiti Coast District Council contractors.
About two kilometres of Mazengarb Rd - home to Paraparaumu College and a childcare centre - were affected, as were Guildford Dr, Hadleigh Ct and College Dr.
A Downer spokeswoman blamed weather conditions for the failure, saying every issue was "being followed up appropriately".
A Paraparaumu man's new garage carpet was damaged by the tar.
"We are grateful to the residents who have taken the time to let us know that they appreciate our efforts in rectifying the situation."
Thorn said it took him two hours - and all the "tiny bottle" of cleaning solution provided to him - to scrub one of the cars.
"It's a bit of drama, really, our two cars were pretty well splattered up and down two sides. One car took me two hours of my weekend and it wasn't an easy job."
Downer had said they would send more cleaning products but it felt as though the onus had been put on the people affected, Thorn said.
"They were pretty good at responding and getting back to us but I get the feeling that they're trying to fob us off a bit."
Paul Ross was also given rags and spray to clean the tar off his car and although the solution worked well, it was hard work, he said.
"I had low expectations of anything happening, so I was quite happy to be offered a method that would guarantee getting the tar off without damaging the paintwork."
Tony Martin, the acting group manager infrastructure for Kāpiti Coast District Council, said work had started on the road repairs and should be finished by the weekend, if weather permitted.
The remedial work would not cost the council anything extra, he said.
- Stuff
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