MENACE TO TRAFFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 207, 1 September 1932, Page 8

MENACE TO TRAFFIC.

PAPAKURA-BOMBAY ROAD.

HIGHWAYS BOARD ATTITUDE.

WORK NOT -PERMITTED,

r .Service car .drivers, commercial travellers,' iinbulance drivers,' rind the motoring public generally comment on the dangerous condition of the Great South JRoad between Papakura and Bombay. "Auckland's dirty front door mat" was the- description applied to the road by •one well-known Auckland motorist, who said; that its condition was a • signal example of the lack of co-operation of- the local body concerned, the Franklin County Council, and the Main Highways Board. ■ •■ "The Franklin County Council has at last come to terms with the Main Highways Board regarding the construction of the road, and the route it shall take, but unfortunately there is no money available this season to carry out the work," eaid Mr. J. N. Massey, M.P., chairman of the Franklin County Coun cil. "No money was provided on the estimates for the work this year. The Franklin County has applied to the Local Government Loans Board for a loan ai £23,000 for the reconstruction of the stretch of highway between Papakura and Mercer, and as far as I know the matter is practically finalised. We are now awaiting a reply." Waiting For Money. Mr; Masfiey said that about -three months ago the Main Highways Board wrote to .the Franklin: County Council offering; to establish a single men's camp, so that temporary improvements nould be made to the road. The cost was estimated at £2000. Mr. Massey explained that the Franklin County Council .were"compelled to find work for men in ;their district under No. 5 scheme. They ;were of the opinion that the men they employed binder No. 5 scheme should be allowed to'work on road improvements, because the maintenance of the high-way-was of national importance. . An application to use No. 5 scheme men on the road was made to the Unemployment Board about three months ago, said Mr. Massey, but the suggestion- was rejected. "Everything is .ready to go ahead. with . the work," said Mr. Massey. "We are waiting for the money." . Tricky to Drive On. "It is all very well for the Main Highways Board to say that there are no funds available to reconstruct the road," said an Auckland engineer. "Funds should be made available, for here is no more dangerous stretch of road, in the whole province, and I am doubtful whether there is a worse stretch of highway in the North Island. The ' road. is bad enough in winter time, but with the dust in summer, it is like driving through a smoke screen. The road is a tricky one to negotiate at all times, and to the nervous driver it is a menace. The high crown of the road is the real danger. The worst part of the stretch is between Papakura> where; the concrete ends, and Drury. On that bit of road there are about three -different levels. Some day there will be a, bad smash with a large car—then perhaps we will get something done;. It is sur r prising to me" how Governments always wait till the' horse gets put before they close the stable door." Service Car Drivers' View* Service car drivers who travel over the road twice a day all maintain that the road is by far the most dangerous main road in the province. "The road has always been badly maintained, and the camber is a real* menace/' 'said one driver,' who goes to Ha'inilton and back twice daily. "The other day, near Ramarama, I saw a car turn Completely over and. crash down- a bank. The.' driver tried to' climb the camber, loose metal caught hia wheels and he went through the fence and over a bank. Liscldly'h'e; was'riot hurt." "That is not the first time I have seen accidents of that nature on the road between Papakura and Bombay. All' the drivers I know, treat -this- stretch with, great respect. It is the easiest thing in the world to get into a bad slide—and skids are dangerous." : . . ~; , Ambulance's Difficulties. ; - ■ Mr.- Arthur . Langstone, one of the drivers of St'» John*Ambulancei who often drives over the road, described its condition as "terrible." He said that over the stretch between Papakura and Bombay he would not dare to'travel at more than 15 miles an hour. Over the whole distance, the ambulance was on a slant, and the patient inside was rolled about badly. The ambulance could not be driven on the crown of ..the road all the time, because of 'other traffic, and when it was shifted to the side it slithered about in loose metal. "You can't call it a road—it's a nightmare," said Mr. Langstone. "It is the worst in the province and it is high time the Government realised its many dangers and got on with the job of making a real road of it."