Campaigners pushing for State Highway 2 north of Tauranga to become four lanes are holding an open day at Omokoroa No. 1 School this Sunday.

The open day, running from 10am to 1.30pm, is about keeping momentum going and advising people on how to make submissions to the government on the road.

'People are often unsure of how to write submissions and what to say, so we'll be providing information on that,” says ‘Fix the BLOODY Road' campaign volunteer Vivette Bradley.

'The big picture is to try and save lives on that highway by pushing for four lanes and a median barrier.”

The group formed in early March after residents along State Highway 2, between Bethlehem and Omokoroa, grew frustrated with the number of serious and fatal crashes happening on the road.

In April a number of them made written and verbal submissions the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's draft Regional Land Transport Plan, asking for improvements to State Highway 2 to be the council's number one transport priority.

'We're really pleased with the outcome of that process, and [Western Bay of Plenty] Mayor Garry Webber was thrilled we had such a loud voice and were heard,” says Vivette.

She says the next step is to make submissions to central government – but she stresses there will be more protest action if they are fobbed off.

'We want to protest peacefully, but if agencies only want to put band aids on the problem to pacify us, we'll be taking further steps to make ourselves heard more. It is unacceptable people are dying on that road when they don't need to be.”

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, who has called for the government to act quickly on improving the road, is unable to attend the open day due to prior commitments at a National Party conference on environmental issues in Christchurch.

He believes the government is neglecting the regions when it comes to transport.

'Phil Twyford has announced two big roading projects in Auckland, which reinforces he is prioritising that city above the regions. It is unacceptable we have the Tauranga Northern Link, which was announced in 2015, has been put on ice without further clarity from the minister or NZTA.

'It's hugely frustrating. It is part of the reason there's so much anger in the community – this road's been on the books for years. This road was set to be built, all the boxes were ticked, and now it's been pulled off the table.”

‘Fix the BLOODY Road' campaign organiser Andrew Hollis and Lizard News editor Matthew Farrell will be at the open day to answer questions at 11am, 12pm, and 1pm.

There will also be a cake stall, coffee cart, and bouncy castle for the kids.