TUNNEL USE More Lorries Needed

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31123, 28 July 1966, Page 1

TUNNEL USE More Lorries Needed

The growth of traffic required to meet all commitments, operating costs, interest and loan repayments could come only from increased commercial use, and this was wholly dependent on the conversion of the Lyttelton wharves for road transport, Mr R. A. Witbrock, the chairman, said in his annual report to the Christchurch-Lyttelton Road Tunnel Authority yesterday.

“Christchurch is the only city in New Zealand not yet fully geared for this up-to-date method of handling cargo, and the sooner this is accomplished the sooner will the full benefits of using the tunnel bring economic benefits to commerce and industry in Canterbury,” he said. In his financial review, Mr Witbrock said that £146,950 had been raised in loans during the year, bringing total loans to £2,999,280. It was expected that final total loans would reach £3,083,330 in the current year. The first repayment of £20,300 would be made during the year. The final result of the year was a surplus of £45,462, which would be available towards loan repayments and interest amounting to £99,400 due in July, 1967. The number of vehicles using the tunnel in the year to March 31 was 1,027,156, an increase of 141,244. Tonnage of goods had increased by 72,316 to 243,168, representing 236.3 per cent,

compared with an 87.1 per cent increase in revenue. Goods . carted from Lyttelton represented 82.2 per cent of the total. Reporting on last month, the general manager (Mr L. H. Wilson) said 82,038 vehicles had used the tunnel. This was an increase of 16.6 per cent on June of last year, and brought the increase for the first three months of the financial year to 23.2 per cent. Vehicle toll receipts increased by £1748 to £11,404, and were up 18.1 per cent; and goods tolls increased 41.3 per cent.