No easy fix for truck noise, Waipā District Council says

Monday, 13 April 2026

Fed-up Cambridge residents are calling on Waipā District Council to crack down on trucks they say are speeding and creating excessive noise - but council staff say there is no easy fix.

In March, a petition with 111 signatures called on the council for limits on night time truck movements, urgent road repairs, stronger speed enforcement and better communication with residents.

The petition came from occupants along Cambridge Rd, Pope Tce, Cook St and Shakespeare St.

Local resident Steve Gorter, who signed the petition, told the Waikato Times the trucks made “constant noise” and caused his house to vibrate.

He also alleged some drivers were breaching their permit conditions and using the route as a shortcut to the expressway, while others were speeding.

“You'll hear them coming through here, they're not doing 50km an hour,” he said.

“I reckon some of them must be hitting 70km an hour through here.”

Gorter said once residents started talking, they realised disruption was widespread, prompting them to create the petition.

Some of the affected homeowners planned to attend to the Service and Delivery committee this week where the petition was being tabled.

However, a council report to elected members said there was no simple solution.

Council staff acknowledged residents’ concerns but said restricting heavy vehicles was not feasible as the road was classified as a key arterial route.

The report also noted the council did not have the power to ban trucks at night under current bylaws, although engine braking was already prohibited in urban areas.

While maintenance work had already been carried out in recent years, further upgrades were limited.

“Limited funding prevents us from installing a continuous smooth asphalt surface; maintenance will remain focused on localised structural integrity repairs on an as needed basis,” the report said.

Addressing speeding was also largely outside of the council’s control, although staff have requested NZTA undertake targeted speed camera enforcement.

“Unfortunately, there are no easy answers or substantive works planned which would reduce the effects of heavy traffic on this route,” the report said.

Council staff, Mayor Mike Pettit, NZTA staff, and police have met with representatives from the resident group to hear their concerns firsthand.

The issues raised have also been fed into the Cambridge Connections transport plan, which is expected to address freight routes and bridge infrastructure, with community engagement continuing through to December 2026.