Study Of Estuary To Be Extended

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30868, 29 September 1965, Page 18

Study Of Estuary To Be Extended

The hydraulics research station in Wallingford, which is conducting model studies of the Estuary to decide what is needed for drainage, will be asked to consider as well development of the Estuary as an aquatic playground.

The Christchurch Drainage Board was advised last evening that the City Council had agreed to offer up to half the estimated extra cost of £3500 to test the Estuary model for the effects on drainage of a proposal to use it as an aquatic sports area. On the suggestion of Mr E. V. Smith, the board agreed to contribute an amount to meet the extra cost. Mr J. F. Davidson said the board should concentrate first on drainage problems. The extra investigation would take another four months. Flood-gating of the Heathcote river would cost about £140,000, and the effect of gates could not be determined without detailed calculations which would take weeks or months, Mr P. .1. McWilliam, the chief engineer, told the board. He was reporting on a suggestion by Mr N. E. Kirk. M.P., that a flood gate on the river at the Estuary might alleviate periodic flooding in the Clarendon terrace area. Gates alone would be of

• no use at times of rainfall, Mr McWilliam said. To pump the flow in the river would require 10 pumps, the cost of which, with engines and pump-house, would be £370,000. “Pumping is, therefore, economically untenable,” Mr McWilliam said. “It is also possible that a considerable nuisance would be caused by the diesel engines.” He suggested that the board await the recommendations of a consortium of engineers after the model studies had been made at Wallingford. The board agreed with his proposals.