Reading Design To Protect Scenery

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32114, 9 October 1969, Page 28

Reading Design To Protect Scenery

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, October 8

Designing roads to take account of their effect on the scenery may become a general practice as a result of a recommendation of the National Development Conference.

The Minister of Works (Mr Allen), said today that toe Cabinet had approved widening the application of criteria which toe National Roads Board since 1965 had been using when building or rebuilding State highways in or near beauty spots. This was toe effect of Ministry of Works suggestions for implementing the N.D.C.’s

recommendation that toe National Roads Board’s policy on scenic roads should be used on all public roads through forests and scenic areas. The Ministry of Works also suggested that, in some cases, consultation with toe Nature Conservation Council would help to achieve the desired standards. Mr Allen said toe Government would instruct the Forest Service, Lands and Survey Department and Ministry of Works to use on such areas toe same care that toe Reads Board had used on such roads as through toe Buller

Gorge, toe highway between Taupo and Wairakei, and on some of toe new roads between Turangi and the National Park.

A request on similar lines would be sent to toe Municipal and Counties associations. “The board’s policy,” Mr Allen said, “is that particular attention is paid to preserving aS much native vegetation as possible while toe alignment and profile of toe highway so fit toe character of toe area traversed that scars are reduced to a minimum and cut slopes are flattened and planted to soften and beautify the lines of construction.

“Bridges, culverts and embankments are also being designed to give toe most pleasing appearance compatible with the surroundings.”