MAIN SOUTH ROAD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 79, 15 January 1936, Page 3

MAIN SOUTH ROAD

THE RANGITATA DEVIATION.

GERALDINE COUNCIL'S VIEWS.

(Special to the " Guardian.") GERALDINE, January 14

The possible attitude of the new Government to main highways running alongside railway lines, and its effect on the Main .south road deviation at Rangitata, were discussed at a meeting of the Gieraldine Borough Council on Monday night, and it was decided to consult with the Geraldine Business Men's Association to ascertain if further joint action was worth while to prevent the deviation being gone on with. ■The subject was introduced by Mr A. J. Bell, who said that aVthe Hon. 11. Sempie had stated that the new 'Government was going to give the various, boards "aunning shoes," the Main Highways Board might be abolished, and it might be worth while to try again to have the deviation of the main highway at Rangitata stopped altogether. Mr Sempie had said that his Government was going on with railways and was going to make them pay. The new road would bring motor-lorries into direct competition with the railways, and this should bo taken into account, and also that the deviation proposal was unfair to Gieraldine, which was an established town on the present highway. Two Suggestions. Mr Bell suggested that they should urge the Government that the present route should be sealed, and the deviation proposal dropped altogether. Jf people wanted to go quicker there was a new aeroplane service to take them. The Mayor (Mr B. R, Macdonald): You are suggesting that we should approach the Minister for Transport to divert the aoad from the railway?

Mr Bell: 1 am suggesting that the deviation be abandoned altogether end that the existing highway be sealed. The Mayor; 1 understand that tiio new railway. bridge is in course of construction and that" the Main Highways Board has already purchased the olef railway bridge to convert it into a traffic bridge. In view of that, I think it might be better to press for the aoad to come from Rangitata via Geraldine, instead of via Orari along tho railside. Mr Bell said the old Government had abandoned many railways which has been started, and it would not hurt if the present Government abandoned tho idea of converting the old railway bridge at Rangitata into a traffic bridge. Tho bridge was not wanted.

• Mr P. H. Davis said he did not think the new Government would stop the work which had already been authorised. „ .

Tho town clerk (Mr L. F. Grimstone) suggested that tho Borough Council should take the matter up with the people who wished to prevent tho deviation in the first instance. The Mayor said he was sure tho Association would consult with the council in tho matter. It wa.s decided to write asking tho Geraldine Business Men's Association if it would be prepared to meet the Borough Council to discuss the matter.