RICCARTON AVENUE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19690, 6 August 1929, Page 10

RICCARTON AVENUE.

IMPROVEMENT SCHEME. Representatives of the Works Committee of the City Council recently conferred with representatives of the Riccarton Borough Council and the Christchurch Domains Board in connexion with the proposed improvement, of Riccarton avenue. A suggestion was made that the existing footpaths in Riccarton avenue should be thrown into the roadway and new footpaths formed in the Domain, the whole of the roadway to be reconstructed of bituminous concrete. The proposal met with the approval of all those present at the conference, and the question was referred to the City Engineer for a report and estimate. This estimate has now been received by the committee, the proposal being to make provision in the roadway for the following:—Tram track strip, 18 feet; two 20ft carriage-ways in concrete, 40 feet; kerb and flat channels, 3 feet; two 12ft footways, 24 feet; a total width of 85 feet. The estimated cost is as follows: Shifting back Tramway Board's poles, £520; re-laying post and telegraph ducts and lines, £.1000; fencing, £750; pavement work and footways, £19,040; total, £21,310. If grit paths only are constructed, the above cost could be reduced by the sum of £I6OO. In reporting this matter to the City Council last evening, the committee stated: — The present basis of allocation of maintenance of Riccarton avenue is 65 per cent, for the City and 35 per cent, for the Riccarton Borough. It is considered, however, that as Riccarton avenue is a continuation of a main highway and carried the greatest proportion "of the traffic entering the City from outside districts, a substantial subsidy should be made available by the Main Highways Board, and efforts in this direction have been initiated. Pending receipt of further advice on this question, however, the committee recommends that the scheme as submitted be approved, and that the Riccarton Borough Council and the Christchurch Domains Board again be communicated with thereon. Cr. D. G. Sullivan said he took it that the Council was not committing itself to finding the money immediately for the work. They would have to look round for the money. The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer): This is only information. The clause was adopted.