Chains winter ‘must’ for alpine passes

Press, 13 July 1976, Page 3

Chains winter ‘must’ for alpine passes

Motorists using the alpine highways—the Lewis Pass or the OtiraArthur’s Pass—should always take chains during the winter, , the Westport Ministry of Works engineer, Mr ,1. S. Douglas, said yesterday. “In view of the weather patterns this year, it is no longer safe to assume that you will be able to negotiate the Lewis Pass without chains,” Mr Douglas said, writes the Westport reporter of “The Press.’ In past winters, since the road had been improved, chains were normally not required, but this year snowfalls had been unusually heavy. Motorists could expect even more snow, and those attempting the journey should therefore be prepared at all times. On Sunday a number of vehicles without chains were unable to negotiate the pass, but others with them had no trouble. Chains also helped in icy conditions which were bound to prevail for some time now, Mr Douglas said. Ministry staff worked until 7 p.m. on Sunday to keep the Lewis Pass "open, but staff could not be expectec to attend to individual car-

that got stuck because they) had no chains. He believed several motor-j ists were stranded at Springs j Junction overnight on Sunday. "I think motorists should adopt the policy, no chains: no go, until we are well into spring,” Mr Douglas added. Arthur’s Pass was reopened to traffic at 2 p.m. yesterday, land the Lewis Pass and Haast Pass were cleared by ; mid-morning, an Automobile ; Association spokesman said. IHe believed the Te Anau--1 Milford road would not be open until today. ; Arthur’s Pass and the ] Haast Pass were closed to ; traffic on Sunday afternoon. The chains-only restriction I for the Lindis Pass during I the week-end was extended ■vesterday as ice and snow ■continued to make the road ) treacherous, reports the Press Association. The Resident Engineer of I the Ministry of Works in )Oamaru (Mr D. J. Kyle) said that black frosts had kept the surface of the highway frozen for some days. Snow fell at Hilltop on the road to Akaroa, on Sunday, although this did not seriously hinder traffic. POWER CUT Electricity consumers in various parts of Canterbury ] were without power all night, ; according to local supply j authorities.

About 15 sheep stations near Lake Coleridge in the Central Canterbury Electric Power Board’s region were still without electricity late yesterday afternoon. Other consumers in country areas,; including parts of Banks Peninsula, were affected for short periods. Snow was lying to depths of a foot in parts of the North) Canterbury Electric Power i Board’s area, according to its I general manager (Mr D. W. j Harris). Oxford, Hawarden,; and Hanmer were covered) with about 2| inches of snow.) However, the only area seriously affected was the Lees Valley, near Oxford, where power was cut about 10.0 on Sunday evening, and not restored until 2.30 p.m. yesterday. Power had not been restored earlier because all 26 miles of line into the valley had had to be checked, Mr Harris said. Motunau Beach residents were without power during ,the night, but this was re- ; stored by early morning. Local supply authorities were fortunate that both this and the more severe snowfall three weeks ago had occurred at this time of the year, Mr Harris said. Because of the cold, snow was much lighter and finer than it could ;be in late August and September, and did not cause as imuch damage.