Dudley Creek contractors disappear

Press, 12 April 1978, Page 6

Dudley Creek contractors disappear

A Wellington company that was doing the first, stage of the Dudley Creeki diversion project, a major Christchurch Drainage Board I flood relief job in the north-, ern suburbs, has been off' the job for more than a month. The board has been called into a special session on; Thursday to determine what; might be done about the failure of Commercial Contractors, Ltd, to return to; c.ork after leaving about March 7. “It looks as if they are in financial difficulties,” said 1 the board chairman (Mr M.| R. Carter) of the confrectors. They had "disippeared from the job” ibout March 7. Although the board bad terved notice on the company under requirements of; the contract conditions, con-

tractors had not shown up for work again. Dudley Creek has long been a flooding problem for residents of Mairehau and Si A'bans after heavy rain. Eventually, the diversion pipeline will extend from Philpotts Road to Horseshoe Lake, where water can be released through the outlet to the Avon River. In 1976, the boarc awarded a $433,827 contraci to the Wellington-basec Commercial Contractors foi the pipeline section from Horseshoe Lake to Marshland Road. A second contract, less than a year ago, went to a Christchurch company foi the line from Marshland Road to Hills Road. The third and largest piping stage was awarded tc March Construction, Ltd, foi $599,268, late last month.