Locals are calling a proposed median barrier on State Highway 2 between Katikati and Pahoia a ‘waste of time' that will add extra kilometres to their daily commute.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency is proposing a 14.2km median barrier between Tetley Road and Esdaile Road that will be mainly unbroken with five or six roundabouts along the highway as ‘safe turnaround areas'.

Road safety campaigner Andy Earl runs the Katikati Area Road Info Facebook page and ran a poll asking if a continuous median barrier was necessary and 98 per cent of respondents said no.

He says people raised concerns about the NZTA's proposed roading agenda where there is no right turn. Andy explains that with a median barrier in place people needing to turn right will have to drive up to 5kms extra to get to a roundabout and turn around.

NZTA regional manager infrastructure delivery Jo Wilton says the single lane roundabouts will be sized to accommodate two categories of large truck and are considered the safest option for turning.

'There are other treatments such as hook turns; however, these require land purchase and still have right turn movements across the highway.

'Having breaks in barriers is another option, but again they allow for right turns and potential conflict points.”

The placement and number of the proposed roundabouts is yet to be determined apart from one at the intersection of SH2 and Tetley road and another at the Esdaile Road intersection, she says.

Andy claims traffic volume is going to double in the next 11 years and safety is important but NZTA is taking no notice of the potential growth.

He raises concerns that with all the local produce trucks, tractors towing trailers, sprayers or huge machinery using the road with a median barrier ‘pulling over to let commuters past, is going to be a memory'.

Andrew Hollis, who is part of the Fix the Bloody Road action group, says the median barrier is a ‘band-aid fix' that will upset truck drivers.

He claims the roundabouts will create an enormous amount of stop-go for trucks and says the road needs to be properly upgraded.

'It desperately needs money spent on it and not just band-aid money.”

The proposed barrier is part of the NZTA's Waihi to Omokoroa project aimed at making this section of SH2 safer for all vehicles, including high productivity motor vehicles, says Jo.

'The primary reason for the safety improvement works and consultation on a median barrier is to improve the safety of all who travel on this SH2 corridor.

'Waka Kotahi is focused on providing a safe, integrated land transport system that supports business.”

She says there will be a number of local follow-up meetings to engage with businesses and the community as potential designs advance.

There is no confirmed timeline for the proposed barrier and public consultation ends at midnight, May 21.