Heavy rain had left the road pock-marked with potholes, but the Waitaki District Council had been unable to redirect graders from flood repair work being conducted throughout the district to fix them.
Waitaki District Council roading manager Michael Voss said last week it would probably be another two weeks before normal service could be resumed, but local farmer Bill Pile said that was too long for residents to wait.
He decided to put his own grader to use.
"There are three school buses that drive along there, so that's six school vehicles a day," Mr Pile said.
"Fonterra milk tankers have also been using that road, picking up from three sheds since August 1. We were not prepared to wait, so I did the road up yesterday [Sunday]."
He said the biggest pothole was 1m wide and 150mm deep. It had taken him four hours to grade the road.
"The road was full of them [potholes]. There were too many to count."
Council roading manager Michael Voss said he understood Mr Pile's wish to see the road, which services his property, back in serviceable condition sooner than the council had planned.
However, Mr Pile's actions could have caused problems, Mr Voss said.
If his actions had created "any incident" that had "the potential to endanger other road users", the council would be in a difficult position, Mr Voss said.
"For example, all works on the public road must be undertaken with a compliant and approved traffic management plan which lays out the operations and how works are to be undertaken. This is a legal requirement and for the safety of all road users, which Mr Pile contravened."
Mr Voss said there were now three graders working throughout the district, and potholes should be fixed in the Hilderthorpe area this week.
The public should remain patient and wait for the council's contractor to repair roads in their area, he said.
