RESTORATION OF ROADS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28748, 20 November 1958, Page 6

RESTORATION OF ROADS

Difficulties After Sewerage Works

Difficulties in restoring roads after sewerage works were re-i cently discussed by representa- 1 tives of the Christchurch Drain- 1 age Board, the Christchurch City’ Council, and the Drainage Contractors’ Association. The following report was made to the Drainage Board:— Some contractors, before tendering, endeavoured to ascertain the City Council’s requirements and were given a generally high requirement which might not in fact be ultimately necessary.Others appeared to “take a chance” on restoration and did not approach the council before tendering. No complete solution to the problem appeared possible, but some help may be given the contractors as a result of an undertaking given by the City Engineer. In future the board will inform the council of the works proposed. as is done now, and the, City Engineer will indicate the council’s minimum requirements m respect of road restoration in the streets covered by the contract. These notes will be included with the specification as a guide to tenderers. Discussion was held on the problems encountered by the contractors through the board’s policy of having sidelines installed under the group contract scheme. In the. past, some contractors have had; the road ready for sealing, afterj which it has been dug up again as sidelines *were installed. It was pointed out to the con- ! . tractors that the board at present: is not installing the sidelines until ; the road has been sealed, but prolonged wet weather could affect sealing programmes with conseiqucnt delay in letting contracts for sidelines possibly months beyond the date at which the main sewer became available for con-! nexion. The contractors were also! ! informed that the board would' not delay the installation of side- 1 lines should the main contractor's] rate of progress on road restora-l tion be such that he was unneces-i sarily delaying the connexions of! property owners to the sewer. • The contractors mentioned the! damage which was being done to! the sides of the roads where' sewers were being laid. This was: the result of traffic being unable! to use the full width of the road ! It was considered that this matter was the responsibility of the con-1 tractor.