Drainage Board Policy' On Open Drains

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32385, 26 August 1970, Page 14

Drainage Board Policy' On Open Drains

j . A suggested priority list for the piping of open roadside' drains in the Waimain County—the third such list submitted byZ the Waimairi County Council in four years—resulted in aZ general policy for all open-drain piping being outlined in a report: adopted by the Christchurch Drainage Board last evening.

In addition, the board adopted a report by the chief engineer (Mr P. J. McWilliam) on the priority the piping of open roadside drains should be given, though it emphasised that such work was not the most important the board was called on to do.

The work* committee had met representative* of the Waimairi County Council about the coat of piping the open drain at Belfast, beside the Main North Road. The Drainage Board had previously offered to pay 50 per cent of the cost, estimated to be $34,500. The county wanted the board to pay more, but the board declined, suggesting that the Waimairi County Council should offer to pay 10 per cent and ask the National Road* Board to pay the remaining 40 per eent The works committee also reported that it had discussed the open drain through the property of Dr D. S. Hart, Ham Road, whose solicitors had told the board that one of Dr Hart’s stud ewes had fallen into the drain and drowned. The board “without prejudice,” had erected a temporary fence along the drain and decided that Dr Hart should be compensated for the loss of the ewe. WAIMAIRI DRAINS

The board considered a report in which the Waimairi County Council listed in order of priority, 18 open roadside drains it requested the board to take into account when preparing any programme of stormwater piping. The report set out five priority grups in connection with Waimairi open roadside drains but pointed out that previous experience with the Local Authorities Loans Board indica-

ted that it would be quite pointless to make further application for finance for open drain* until at least the major portion of the contract* included in the 1969 loan ($165,000) and 1970 loan ($65,000) had been let

“By that time, the *ituation could have changed and, therefore, there could be very good reason for altering the priorities,” the report said, referring to the suggested fourth priority group of drains for which no financial provision had yet been made. The board made it clear, in adopting the priorities report by the works committee, that the work would be carried out on the Waimairi open drain*, where financial provision had been made, as finance and staff became available. Where financial provision had not been made, the work would be carried out only as approved by the board from time to time when finance and staff were available, and after taking into consideration the claims of more urgent work* and the need for piping in other districts.

GENERAL POLICY While the piping of open roadside drains was an important part of the board’s work, such piping did not usually improve the drainage of the area, a report by Mr McWilliam said. The work was normally carried out for the only, but essential and commendable, purpose of enabling other Improvements to be carried out on the road.

"While it is possible to prepare a priority list for the piping of open roadside drains in Waimairi county, there are competing demands for the available finance," the report went on. “These must be taken into account before any programme of works can be considered. In general, these competing demands are, or will be: “Flood relief works. The board has at present a very

considerable programme be: 'ore it, which will cost mans millions of dollars. “Drainage work* in conjunct tion with major rood works. With the implementation of the master transportation plan, there is an increasing demand for stormwater drainage Improvement*. Much ol the more expensive work will involve bringing forward in time flood relief proposal*. “Outfalls from road work*. There is also an increasing demand for outfalls for new road works in particular, where dished channel* are replaced by flat channels in the Inner areas, and where kerb and side channels are provided for the first time In the developing areas. “Piping of open roadside drain* in the city and other counties. There are several open roadside drains in the city, in areas which have been settled and otherwise developed for several decades, and which should take precedence over much of the work listed in the report on the Waimairi drains. However, those which should have the highest priority (Canal Reserve drain in Marshland Road and South Canal Reserve drain in linwood Avenue) are dependent on major relief work*. There are also, several miles of open road' , side drains in the Heathcote?!and Paparua Counties, par.-!-' ticularly in the area which-'! was previously Halswelf.County. Z

“Major drainage Improvements. Those envisaged for'the future could include th£' Heathcote River cut, improve' ments to the Styx, Avon and;;. Heathcote Rivers, a barragt>and channel-dredging in th'o' Estuary. Because of the> greater importance and prioritty of many of these other' works and investigations, it i£> proposed that contracts foj-.-' the piping of roadside drains', will be fitted in at such times! as staff can be spared fofsuch work." -j