Talks on road width to be continued

Press, Issue 32535, 19 February 1971, Page 10

Talks on road width to be continued

Negotiations would be continued with the Ministry of Works to see whether the Main North Road through Belfast could be widened by more than one chain and a quarter proposed by the National Roads Board, the Waimairi County Council decided last evening.

“Your council will no doubt be disappointed by the decision to reconstruct on a one chain and a quarter basis, but we trust that the result will, in fact, prove to he quite satisfactory.” said a letter from the District Commissioner of Works (Mr E. E. Lawrence). The works committee, reporting this, said tl«it Cr F. J. Aitken said that extra width for the highway was of regiona' importance, and could be dealt with on a metropolitan basis from petrol tax money; but his mo-

tion to this efft ct was unsuccessful.

Extensions —Additions to the Upper Riccarton Post Office were approved sub let to provision being made for off-street packing for the public at the rear of the building and for setting back the building if the widening of Yaldhurst Road is considered necessary at Church Comer.

Playground.—A reserve adjoining the Papanui swimming pool would be retained for development as a children’s playground, and not made available for use as an entrance to the pool, it was decided. Cable cost.— The council agreed that proposed new charges by the Municipal Electricity Department for putting street wiring underground in existing streets were completely unacceptable, and would hinder progress, as residents would not pay the $7O, plus Post Office charges. Speed limit— The Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon) was asked to impose a 40 m.p.h. restriction in Wooldridge Road. The Ministry of Transport having said that it opposed the limit. No stopping.—Broken yellow lines, indication that stopping was prohibited, were being ignored, said the chairman (Mr D. B. Rich). Bad examples were at Rossall Street-Holmwood Road, Heyders Road-Lower Styx Road and Wairakei Road-Greers Road. The traffic department would give special attention to the offence.

Charge increase.—The halfcost of additional reading, kerbing and footpaths paid by subidividers was raised from $6O, the charge set many years ago, to $125 a chain, to apply from April 1. Bishopdale section.— The Bishopdale lot that was wanted for a community site had been withdrawn from sale, and the views of the community would be taken into account as to its use, said the Lands and Survey Department.