MAINTENANCE COSTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 68, 22 March 1927, Page 9

MAINTENANCE COSTS.

GREAT SOUTH ROAD. TOLLS ON* DEVIATIONS. An announcement of interest to motorists tiding the Great South Road was made at the Manurewa Town Board's meeting last evening, when the reconstruction of the road, and the condition and maintenance of deviations, was under discussion. The matter was dealt with at length in committee, and the chairman (Mr. A. C. A. Sexton) subsequently stated that the board had decided to closo the Great South Road between Alfriston Road (an intersection at the southern end of Manurewa township) and the bridge over the Takanini stream, a distance of about a mile. Tho chairman stated, however, that the contractors (Messrs. Grinter Bros.) have arranged an alternative routb through private property, and this route will be available for use by traffic at a charge of Is per motor car and 2s per motor lorry. As regards the revenue derived in this manner, the whole of any surplus over and above the expense involved in collection will be expended in keeping this and other detour routes in as satisfactorv condition as possible. The route under discussion, which has heen in actual use since last Wednesday, is the remains of the original Main Trunk railway line south to Manurewa station. Its situation is peculiarly suitable for deviation purposes, in that it is practically parallel to the Great South Road. The main road has been impassable during the past few days, and as m. public detour road has been available, the public are greatly indebted to tlxproperty owners concerned (Messrs. C. H., Lupton and J. O. Woods) in coming to the rescue in the manner indicated. However, it was only natural that tho scoria track could not stand up to the weight of traffic experienced, and the proposed levy will provide the means <>t effecting urgently needed repairs. During the course of last evening's meeting, letters were read from the Auckland Motor Truck Owners' Association and private lorry owners, drawing attention to the condition of the Great South Road and deviations. One complainant forwarded an account covering the cost of freightage, necessitated by transferring goods to the railway for completion of delivery. In all cases, tho board decided to reply that it did not accept responsibility for the provision of a roadway during reconstruction work.