ROAD BRIDGE OVER CAM

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27151, 22 September 1953, Page 8

ROAD BRIDGE OVER CAM

DAMAGE TO NORTH APPROACH

RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS

“We think the catchment board is responsible for the damage caused near the north approach to the bridge,” said the Mayor of Kaiapoi (Mr H. Owen Hills) during a discussion on a reported subsidence of the bank of the Cam river hear the main traffic bridge in Kaiapoi, at a meeting of the Kaiapoi Borough Council last evening. The council had been advised by the North Canterbury Catchment Board' that it did not consider itself liable for the damage reported. The board’s reply enclosed the report of the board’s engineer (Mr H. M. Reid) on the subsidence. "After

an inspection of the trouble at the north end of this bridge I doubt whether it is the responsibility of this board to carry out remedial works,” said Mr Reid’s report "The land to the east of the bridge abutment >is on the move .and apparently slumping, thereby affecting the stability of the adjacent brick building, which shows serious cracks in the walls and a definite slumping of foundations parallel with the river.

"Two pipes discharging water at a low level were found under the bank, one pipe apparently carrying drainage from near the Post Office and the other from the block of shops adjacent to the billiards saloon. The pipes are very deep and leakage may be causing the slumping. "Full investigations into this slumping would be necessary before remedial measures could be planned. It may be necessary to erect a permanent retaining wall with adequate, drainage and to underpin the builliards saloon.” Mr Hills suggested the council should get the advice of a structural engineer to examine the building, which should help in ascertaining the legal position. A motion that the council engage a structural engineer to examine the building and that the engineer’s report be referred to the council’s solicitors, was moved by Cr. H. L. Oram and carried.