DANGERS OF THE SUMNER ROAD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12091, 13 January 1905, Page 4

DANGERS OF THE SUMNER ROAD.

We hope that some means will be devised, for obviating the danger ;of rockfalls from the cliffs on the Sumner road, regarding which there was some

further discussion at the meeting of the Tramway Board yesterday. Tho statements then made showed that tho danger of accidents is vory real, even at tho present time, and it seems reasonable to suppose that it will not bo lessened when electric trams aro running at much more frequent intervals than in the existing service, and probably with a good deal more vibration-.-At the same time, we quite admit that it is not fair to expect the Tramway Board to do the work. The Sumner Borough Council must be held primarily responsible for tho safety of tho public roods in its district, and if this work is to cost £1300, as estimated, it is certainly unreasonable to expect the Tramway Board to find £1000 or £1100 of that amount, more especially seeing that its funds are already fully allocated. Either the Sumner Borough Council must be prepared to largely increase its contribution or perhaps some middle course may bo found.' Possibly the Government may be induced to assist. Canterbury gets little enough of the Roads and Bridges votes, to which it contributes so largoly. and the Government certainly owes the Tramway Board substantial compensation I after'•' putting it to such unnecessary expense in the matter of the guard wires referred to above. As a third alternative, it may be that somo less expensive course than widening the road would serve to remove practically all real danger. It would be HtMo short of criminal, however, to allow the work to go on and trust entirely to chance in regard to the falls of rock which it has been shown take place from time to time.