Two flood-relief proposals

Press, 15 June 1979, Page 4

Two flood-relief proposals

A $llO,OOO scheme to reduce ponding of floodwater south of Pages Road, just west of Cowles Stadium, was recommended yesterday by the Christchurch Drainage Board’s works committee.

Ponding seriously affects four residential properties. It is considered to be a health risk when it becomes stagnant because high groundwater levels keep it from soaking away rapidly. Until now the board has pumped the ponded water on to Cuthberts Green.

Under the new scheme, a drain would be dug south to connect to a drain into a sewage-oxidation pond. The

drain could be sited entirely on board land.

Another relief scheme was recommended for the vicinity of Casebrook Intermediate School, which was closed for a day in March because of flooding. An engineer’s report said that flooding could be attributed mainly to Reeces Drain, between Cavendish Road and the school’s Northcote Road entrance, not being able to cope with the water. Under the proposal 120 m of the drain would be deepened and timbered this year, and widening and deepening of another 160 m done next year. The whole job would cost $lB,OOO.