10 millionth car through tunnel

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32879, 30 March 1972, Page 1

10 millionth car through tunnel

Electronic counters at the Christchurch-Lyttelton Road Tunnel Authority’s Heathcote portal turned past the 10 million mark soon after 8 p.m. yesterday—and a regular tunnel user, Mr G. R. Snedden, a Lyttelton resident, was surprised when the uniformed tunnel superintendent (Mr D. W. Storey) asked him to pull in to the side of the road.

His surprise turned to gratification as first the general manager of the authority (Mr L. E. Olli ver) and then the chairman (Mr V. G. Spiller) shook him by the hand, and Mr Spiller gave him a silver tray, which will .be inscribed to commemorate the occasion.

Mr Snedden is a merchandising manager in a Christchurch company, and has used the tunnel at least twice a day, five days a week, since the tunnel opened on February 27, 1964.

Mr Spiller and several other members of the authority were glad that such a regular user had turned the clock, but they could not hold out anything more than the silver trav in answer to his humorously hopeful question as to when the tolls were going to be reduced from 20c. The last million vehicles were recorded over 246 days. It took 391 days from the opening of the tunnel for the first million vehicle movements to be recorded. When the tunnel first opened, there was reluctance on the part of commercial traffic to pay the extra levy on goods. Many continued the slow grind over Evans Pass. Today, there is little commercial traffic over the hills

except for laden petrol tankers which are prohibited from using the tunnel. However, the tunnel is subject to fluctuations in com-mercial-vehicle tolls and goods tolls as shipping at Lyttelton varies; and its finances are tied in with changes in the pattern of trade of coastal shipping and exports by containers. Just as the Lyttelton Harbour Board looks to an increase in bulk trade to boost its finances, the tunnel authority relies on this trade to make a sizeable contribution towards the ultimate aim of a toll-free facility. Mr Spiller said at the authority’s meeting yesterday that with three days to go to complete the financial year, it appeared that vehicle tolls would increase by about $27,000, or 7.5 per cent, but goods tolls were expected to decrease by $6OOO, or 5.9 per cent.

Visitors to the new interisland ferry Rangatira and to Lyttelton for late shopping vesterdav made a busy day for the tunnel. Mr Snedden was a welcome user. The authority had been told earlier of some unwelcome ones.

Motor-cycle gang

On a Sunday last month, a group of 10 motor-cyclists with pillion passengers came out of the tunnel and approached the toll lanes in a normal way. the leaders appearing to grope for their toll money. When about 10 yards short of the toll lanes, all the motor-cyclists, as if by a prearranged signal, sped through the lanes. Mr Storey reported. “The gang was last seen speeding down the motorway at a tremendous pace.” he said. “No identification was possible by staff, because of the speed and the pillion passengers covering number plates. Most evasions of tolls are tracked home, but the motorcycle gang "completely fooled the operator,” Mr Olliver said. “It is the first time we have struck this.” The photograph shows, from left, Mr Storey, Mr J. B. Collett, Mayor of Lyttelton, and a member or the authority, Mr Sneddon. Mr G. K. Gilchrist, the authority’s secretary, Mr Spiller, Mr Olliver, and Mr J. J. B. Connor, the deputy chairman.