Overbridge Problems At Hornby Discussed

Press, Volume C, Issue 29508, 9 May 1961, Page 17

Overbridge Problems At Hornby Discussed

An overbridge at the

Homby-Southbridge railway line on the Main South road might sound the death-knell of the Hornby commercial centre, the Pa’parua County Council was told last evening by Cr. R. J. Roberts. He made this remark after the council was told in a letter from the Ministry of Works that any future planning of the centre should be away from the highway to allow for a bridge. Representatives of the council will discuss the bridge with the District Commissioner of Works, the Minister of Railways, and member of Parliament for the area (Mr McAlpine), and the District Engineer of the Railways Department. The letter said: “In the event of the railway line continuing to cross the highway at Hornby (it is understood this will be the case), the density of rail traffic and accident record of the crossing will be major factors in determining the necessity for this overbridge.

“The zoning of the area as industrial, and the fact •hat the Railways Department has plans for increased activities in the area, point to the necessity for an overbridge at some’ time In the future. To avoid later costly and disturbing interference with

th local commercial come

mundty, any town planning in the area should be based on eventual installation of an overhead bridge. Any enlargement of the centre should be away from the State highway. “It should be borne in mind also that traffic volume trends in Blenheim road and beyond Hornby presage the development of a four-lane highway at least as far as the Carmen road intersection, and maybe beyond, within possibly 10 years. In the interests of over-all economy, the overbridge should be simultaneously constructed. “It appears, therefore, that an overbridge will become highly desirable, if not essential, immediately before the completion of railway development in Hornby, and this could possibly eventuate within 10 years.

"It seems from the tone of the letter that they want us to move the town—and not the railway,” said the chairman (Mr J. H. Weaver). The briefee would be the end of the Hornby shopping centre project, said Cr. Roberts.

Another way of looking at the situation was to consider the potential growth of the area, said Cr. A. Fazackerley. It would be a big industrial area in future, and the railway would be neces«rv service it