SURVEY ON TRANSPORT

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 2

SURVEY ON TRANSPORT

Govt agrees in principle

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 7.

The Government has agreed in principle to a total transport survey for New Zealand, and tenders are currently being evaluated, said the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon) today. “The findings of the survey will not be available for some two years at least, even if the survey is finally approved in the very near future,” he said. Mr Gordon said that in speaking at Paeroa on Monday evening and dealing with local problems, he had been speaking about the importance of road transport in rural communities in an area with a lot of class II reading, and had referred to country roads generally and the damage caused by heavy trucks.

"I raised the question of axle-loadings and the amount paid in heavy traffic fees,” he said. "At present there is no factual criterion on actual wear on roads, but I cited one ‘guestimate* that a truck with an Bj-ton axle-loading does as much damage as 900 motor-cars." Mr Gordon said that in indicating that the rural community had to live with the truck, he pointed out that consultations between counties, who were present, and the road interests, would be advantageous. “Needless to say, the question of rural-cartage schedules and allied axle-loading is constantly under review within my Ministry,” Mr Gordon said.