WIDTH OF ROAD SEALING

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 12

WIDTH OF ROAD SEALING

12FT STRIP “PERFECTLY SAFE” (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Aug. 31. The Minister of Transport (Mr W. S. Goosman), in the House of Representatives tonight, described as perfectly safe roads with a 12ft sealed

Replying to Mr W. B. Tennent (Government, Palmerstson North), during a discussion of the vote of the estimates for roads under the Public Works Account, Mr Goosman said he could not agree that this size of sealing created an element of danger. Though the sealing might be only 12ft. the road itself could be up to 20ft in width, giving ample room for passing, he said. The policy to seal within this limit would apply only to roads of low traffic density, but it would mean that many more miles of sealing could be done. ~ x Mr Goosman said that most roads in New Zealand were metalled originally to a width of 12ft To seal this part, rather than lay new foundations, would mean progress at six times the Mr Tennent supported by Mr J. S. Stewart (Opposition, Arch Hill), said that two cars could not pass on a 12ft strip, and there might be the tendency for some motorists to “hug the bitumen.”