A chance meeting, last week, with an affected landowner was discouraging.

He is one of four private property owners who use the existing 3.7 km walking track as a farm road.

He is against opening up the road to the public for vehicle use and says he can shut it off at any time because the track diverts onto his land.

Why is he so opposed to DOC giving permission for vehicle access to the top of the hill above the lagoon?

He claims that since this campaign started, traffic to Taronui has increased and some behaviour has been bad.

"The campaign has give people the wrong idea that they can drive down the road. I am concerned about safety. In summer there will be thousands of cars coming down. There are blind corners. It should be a walking track only."