TRENCH CUT IN ROAD

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28258, 22 April 1957, Page 9

TRENCH CUT IN ROAD

Firm To Pay Council Costs “The Press” Special Service HAMILTON, April 21. A contracting firm which dug a trench across Bridge street, Hamilton, on a Sunday, is to be charged with the expenses in which the Hamilton City Council was involved by its action. At the meeting of the council the city engineer (Mr T. J. Palmer) said the firm applied for permission <to dig a trench across Bridge street on the Grey street intersection for the laying of an underground cable. That would mean that the road would be closed on Sunday. Because the portion of the road, leading directly on to the traffic bridge, is one of Hamilton’s busiest intersections, the application was declined. “In spite of this,” s<pd Mr Palmer, “at 8.45 a.m. on Sunday the trench digger was operating and the road was closed, traffic being diverted via Beale street, which is unsealed. The volume of traffic was so heavy that the City Council had to water Beale street to keep the dust down. Traffic - officers had to work all day controlling traffic at the obstruction.” “This is just not good enough,” said Cr. A. R. Griffiths, chairman of the transport committee. “The council will have to be reimbursed for this expenditure.” The firm is to be charged with the cost of watering the road, with council officers’ time involved during the day and with, the expenses incurred by the traffic department.