ARTHUR’S PASS ROUTE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28524, 1 March 1958, Page 15

ARTHUR’S PASS ROUTE

Plea For All-Weather Road

Pleas for the improvement of the Arthur’s Pass route to the West Coast, first because it is prone to storm damage and, second, because it is likely to carry heavy traffic when the Haast Pass scenic road is opened, were made at the meeting of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) last evening.

The association’s roads committee expressed concern at recent damage, and the council approved Its recommendation that the National Roads Board should be urged to make speedy restoration and improvements. Members said they appreciated the difficulties after recent heavy rains and flooding, but considered that the route deserved better maintenance.

The appeal for forethought about the consequences of the Haast Pass being opened, was made by Mr P. E. L. Renton, representing the West Coast branch. Even now it was a long, tiring drive for anyone from Greymouth and further south to motor the 208 miles round to Christchurch, instead of 156 miles by Arthur’s Pass, he said. . Use Of Haqst Circuit The Automobile Association should also note the mileages which would be invoved for tourists and holiday-makers when the Haast pass was opened. Mileages from Haast would be: to Invercargill, . by way of Cromwell, Alexandra, and Gore, 272 miles; to Dunedin by the same route, 327 miles; to Christchurch by way of Arthur’s Pass, 338 miles; to Christchurch by way of the Lewis Pass, 412 miles. The main point was that Lewis Pass was a tiring route, without much beauty except the beech forests round the Rahu saddle and at the top of the pass itself, Mr Renton said. Arthur’s Pass was a scenic route by any standards. West Coast members believed that for about £200,000 Arthur’s Pass could be made a fine allweather route. It would be the obvious choice of most motorists making a South Island circuit through the Haast Pass. About 90 chains only needed major work, Mr Renton said. On economic grounds also, attention to Arthur’s Pass would be well justified, said Mr A. C. Perry. The West Coast, south of Greymouth, was developing remarkably. Arthur’s Pass meant a 70 miles shorter trip to Christchurch by road. “No Excuse For Neglect” “The present disasters should not be used as an excuse for neglecting Arthur’s Pass just becase it is prone to storm damage,” Mr Perry said. “That route has been open since 1866, and it has had no major expenditure for many years. Some of the bridges are 60 years old and still sound. The Ministry of Works would agree that most expenditure has been on maintenance, rathfer than on major improvement. “What has happened recently has only hastened what was inevitable,” Mr Perry said. “Arthur’s Pass must now be tackled as a major job.” These claims will be examined later: but the association did decide to inform the Licensing Control Commission that it favours a licensed hotel at Haast; it will arrange sign-posting in the area through the A.A., Otago, and it will seek a site for a motor camp at Haast “on high ground and free from sandflies.”