Flood Damage Repairs May Exceed $20,000

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 14

Flood Damage Repairs May Exceed $20,000

i The cost of repairing county roads and bridges damaged in last week’s storm would not be less than $20,000, said the chairman (Mr E. R. Radcliffe), at a meeting of the Mount Herbert County Council yesterday. “The cost may well be more, depending largely on the amount of bridging we i have to do,” he said. “Nine 1 bridges are affected to a ) greater or lesser degree. Some old wooden ones have gone, iand one new concrete bridge i may be damaged beyond re- ; pair. I Referring particularly to damage in the Purau-Port Levy areas, Mr Radcliffe said: “We have some gigantic washouts, and a complete absence of road metal. “Given reasonable weather, we can get the major repairs done in two or three weeks, but the bridges may take a year or two. Temporary bridges and fords will be used in the meantime.” Mr Radcliffe said that the council was being helped by contractors. An accurate assessment of flood damage repair costs should be ready to go to Wellington on Wednesday to support the council’s case for repair subsidies. The council was also concerned at the extensive damage done to private property and at the heavy burden placed on farmers in restoring their properties. The Clerk (Mr C. O. Spil-

ler) said that more than 20in of rain was recorded over the period. Cr J. T. Howden said Port Levy residents had asked the Post Office for an improved telephone service via Diamond Harbour instead of by the vulnerable lines from Little River. Cr J. H. Mathias said the Post Office and Central Canterbury Electric Power Board men had done magnificent work in restoring services. The council decided to write to both organisations, expressing appreciation.