Concern Over Delay At Port End Of Tunnel

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 30

Concern Over Delay At Port End Of Tunnel

“I think there has been deliberate procrastination by the Ministry of Works,” said the chairman (Mr A. A. Macfarlane) yesterday when the Lyttelton Harbour Board discussed reading at the port end of the road tunnel. Mr Macfarlane said that after discussions with the No. 14 District Roads Council he was sure toe council had a full appreciation of the needs in Lyttelton. When toe tunnel opened there would be “a trickle of traffic, then a rush, and then a tidal wave,” said Mr F. W. Freeman. “We have to take every step to see that the

roads at Lyttelton are built up to a standard to take the traffic we expect and want.” “We are not a reading authority and the roads council consists of sensible men. I think they realise the problems that ate going to arise and we can leave it in ’their hands to see that something is done urgently.” “It is a bit late,” commented Mr W. B. Laing. “The problems should have been solved in the past. When the tunnel opens there will still be a bottleneck at Lyttelton.” Mr Macfarlane: We can only point out toe serious

nature of the delay. Mr W. P. Glue, referring to the minutes of toe roads council, said there was some confusion over the ownership of toe land involved and there would need to be considerable research on that and on the sharing of the costs. “It is utter nonsense to say there is confusion over the land,” Mr Macfarlane said. “The Ministry of Works has been shown all the boundaries.” “It seems ridiculous to build a magnificent highway up to the mouth of the tunnel just to feed the traffic

into a street in Lyttelton.” said Mr J. Brand. Mr Laing: They have poured money on this end and done nothing at the other. Like the harbour board, the Road Tunnel Authority was not a roading authority, and could only keep pressing for something to be done, said Mr L. G. Amos. “We have a fine road and a good tunnel and then find ourselves in a lane.” Mr Laing: If this was in Auckland it would have been done. Mr Freeman: Too little and too late.