BLENHEIM-CHRISTCHURCH ROAD.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18332, 16 March 1925, Page 8

BLENHEIM-CHRISTCHURCH ROAD.

AVOIDING THE REDWOOD PASS. (SFICIJO. TO "IHI PBISS.") BLENHEIM, March 15. As the result of a combined inspection of an alternative route, the Marlborough and Awatere County Councils are now at one as to the practicability of establishing a-better line of road between Blenheim and Seddon. The proposed deviation is about 4$ miles shorter tluui the Bedwood Pasa road, and is of a much safe? character, there being no hairpin bends. It would not only greatly facilitate the intercourse between Blenheim and Seddon, but would also be a decided improvement so far as the national highway, linking Marlborough and Canterbury, is concerned. Mr Murray, inspecting engineer to the Highways Board, went over tho route, and the decision of the Board, which would find half the cost of construction, is awaited with great interest. The Marlborough County Council unanimously agreod to press for the work in return for the Awatere Council undertaking to withdraw its claim (which was to be settled by a Commission) to a slice of the former's territory. There is a remarkable difference between the rough estimates of cost placed before the respective local bodies, the Awatere. figures being £13,000, and the Marlborough £30,000, but it is explained that the Marlborough engineer provided for overhead bridges in order to avoid a slip, while the Awatere Council's inspector had based his estimate on a road traversing the slip, which might be quite possible.