Road to Ball Hutt dangerous

Press, 22 July 1976, Page 16

Road to Ball Hutt dangerous

Own reporter Timaru

The Ball Hut road at Mount Cook, subject ot a geological survey last year, is still literally hanging in the balance. The road was perfectly safe, but in snow conditions his reaction would be to discourage private vehicles from using it, said, the resident engineer for the Ministry of Works and Development in South Canterbury (Mr E. R. L. O’Toole).

Certain parts of the road we-e b oming •'T-

row, and might require extensive repairs, and he hoped to make a report to the Ministry soon on whether the road should be retained.

The top section of the road has deteriorated because of lateral erosion from the glacier side, according to Mr O’Toole. This is a combination of extreme weather and lack of support by the r'-ccding glacier. The ground around the Ball Hut, above the Tasman Glacier, at the junction of the i asman and Ball glaciers, is becoming unstable, and this will also be the subject of a report. The Ball Hut itself was closed last year because of this danger. The chief ranger at Mount Cook National Park headquarters (Mr B. W. Thomas) said that under certain conditions the road would be closed to all traffic.

There was no doubt, he said, that deterioration had occurred, and a considerable amount ot work would have to be done.

Private motorists using the road were advised to carry chains. Any decision to close the road was his, and the closing would ne done by placing a barrier across the road at Blue Lakes, about six miles from Mount Cook village.