OUTLETS FOR CITY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 20

OUTLETS FOR CITY

Unanimity Urged

Unless local bodies reached unanimity on the route of the proposed motorway north of Christchurch there would be further delay before the board could make a decision, the deputy-chairman of the National Roads Board (Mr N. A. Rattray) told local body representatives yesterday. It was hoped that when the approach road for the Christchurch-Lyttelton road tunnel was completed money could be allocated for the motorway to form the northern outlet for the city, he said.

The motorway route favoured by most local bodies is from Bealey avenue at a point not finally fixed to Chaneys, across the Waimakariri river north of the present bridge, curving to the west round Kaiapoi and to the east again to a bridge over the Ashley river. A Rangiora Borough Council representative. Mr W W Wood, said the council favoured another route further inland, as the proposed route would merely duplicate the present main road. When a by-pass of the city was mentioned as being favoured by North Canterbury residents, Cr. A. R Guthrey (City Council) said the city was not interested in a by-pass. It envisaged an express-way. with access to the dormitory towns of Kaiapoi and Rangiora as far as Woodend.

Looking at the southern outlet, Mr Rattray asked whether the Addington saleyards were likely to stay on their present site indefinitely Siting of the saleyards could affect a final decision.