ALTERATIONS TO PORT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24986, 21 September 1946, Page 6

ALTERATIONS TO PORT

View of British Experts SUGGESTIONS FOR LYTTELTON Important changes to the port of Lyttelton have been recommended to the Lyttelton Harbour Board by the two British engineers who recently made a thorough examination of the present harbour facilities. t The recommendations include the dredging of a new chlnnel further south to give an improved entrance and the immediate provision of a turning circle for ships 1200 feet m diameter. The board, according to a statement released yesterday, does not at present agree with the desirability of sacrific--ing length of wharves for turning space; and therefore no action is beJng taken now towards this end. The report issued by the board states: “As a result of the visit to Lyttelton of Mr E. J. Buckton and Mr A. J. Clarke, of the firm of Randell, Palmer, and Tritton, London, the Harbour Board has received a brief summary of their recommendations regarding alterations to the port. A full report will be forwarded from London, and the Lyttelton Harbour Board expects to receive it at an early date. “The engineers recommend that an ultimate development plan for Lyttelton harbour should be prepared and adopted by the board, official modifications being made from time to time. This plan should embody approach channels, one or more turning circles, additional stillwater areas, additional quayage, railways, roads, sheds, and cranes, and the modernisation of the existing works. "They further recommend that a new channel further south should be dredged to give an improved entrance to the existing harbour. Marking of Entrance "The engineers recommend that the marking of the channel and harbour entrance should be exceptionally clear and simple to counteract to -some extent the adverse psychological effect caused by having to steer a ship direct towards a rubble bank owing to the reclamation carried out near the harbour entrance. "The foregoing recommendations are in the nature of long-term proposals; but to give immediate relief in the matter of swinging room within the existing breakwaters it is suggested that a turning circle of 1200 feet diameter should be provided. “To make such a provision, however, it would be necessary to reduce the length of some of the existing wharves. The board feels that as the ultimate objective is longer and wider wharves, to sacrifice'length for turning space at this juncture is not desirable, and no action will therefore be taken towards this end.” It was stated yesterday on behalf of the board that the report had been considered bv the harbour improvement committee, consisting of all members of the board, and that the brief report so far to hand would be considered by members at the board’s next meeting. No action, it was stated, would be taken pending receipt of the. full report from the two visiting engineers, which would be sent from London, and should arrive soon.