Kaiapoi Support For Northern Outlet Route

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 19

Kaiapoi Support For Northern Outlet Route

Support for the “green line" route fixed by the National Roads Board for the new northern outlet from Christchurch has been given by the Kaiapoi Businessmen's Association, the executive of which has written to the Minister of Works <Mr Gooaman) supporting the recommendations of the Ministry of Works. The roads board and the ministry were congratulated for planning a new northern nutlet to meet the traffic needs, said the association in a statement yesterday. The basic needs of the motorist were a motorway route that would quickly and easily carry the majority of the motorists to where they wished to travel most of the time, and a route that would link up distribution centres of traffic in North Canterbury and the northern outskirts of Christchurch and. through turn-off stations where the present main roading systems joined the motorway. would enable an even distribution of traffic. The association had made a close study of the northern outlet proposal over the last two years, and as well as having several discussions with the Ministry of Works, its representatives had been present when the ministry’s officers had explained the preferred green line route to the Kaiapoi Borough Council, the statement said. Government departmental representatives had been helpful and considerate.

"Hard Facts" "Much criticism has been made of the motorway project and the proposed route,” the statement continued.

"The Ministry of Works engineers are experienced specialists in their field of traffic counts and road planning. Backed by hard facts and statistics of traffic counts at all points along our present highways, they have the ability to plan competently for the basic needs of the northern outlet route.

"The Ministry of Works traffic statistics show that if a northern outlet to Christchurch is to serve the purpose for which it is being planned, to eliminate congestion on the Main North road and allow a fast, free flow of traffic for the majority of road users to and from Christchurch and the north, then the route must run close to the original green line route. Pushing .he motorway further to the west will, according to traffic statistics, be of less advantage.” Flooding And Ponding There had been criticism of the flooding and ponding that could occur at various points of the motorway. Common sense demanded that the ministry, in consultation with the North Canterbury Catchment Board, would not allow a motorway to be built if it was likely to cause flooding any more than another route would. Laymen must rely on expert knowledge. The Rangiora County Coun-

Cil and the Kaiapoi Borough Council, adjoining local bodies. were unanimous in their support of the green line route, the statement continued. As the local authorities vitally affected by the northern outlet route passing through areas under their control, careful consideration should be given to their views and their preference for the original green line route.

The Ministry of Works was the only logical authority in a position to plan competently a northern outlet route which would benefit the majority of road users and serve the future needs of Christchurch, North Canterbury and long-distance motorists. the association concluded.