Concern over line

Press, 12 February 1981, Page 4

Concern over line

The Christchurch Drainage. Board is not in favour of a new electricity transmission Line from the Bromley substation . to a proposed new site in Marshland, crossing densely populated areas, the board’s construction and treatment works committee confirmed yesterday. Some members of the public were worried that the proposed line, which would be carried by towering pylons, would cross a kindergarten and a marae and [generally effect the residential area in Bromley, said the chairman of the committee, Mr T. B. Whelan. Two routes were suggested for the line to feed a new Marshland station which, the Electricity Division saw as necessary to met the expected growth in demand. 1 It could also provide art 1

alternative power supply for eastern Christchurch if at any. time the existing line over the Port Hills was cut because of a slip. ! Under the second plan five pylons would cross the board’s land in Bromley. The first plan would site the pylons through a more builtup area. “Nobody wants a powerline. The' Bromley people have a logical reason for objecting to anything else going into their area,” said Mr M. R. Carter. He did not want the committee to continue o«iecting to the placement of pylons on board! property. Mr R. A. Bamford agreed, saying that there were no real reasons, apart. from a couple of “aesthetic” ones, why the Electricity Division could not use the suggested second route. ■

The vandalism of lights and barriers at Drainage Board maintenance sites had caused dangerous situations, according to the cheif engineer, Mr P. J. McWilliam. ■ One fatal accident and two accidents causing injury had happened after lights were removed or damaged. A boa A board contract in Harewood Road is being monitored by security patrols. “There has been no faults detected on the part of the contractor.” he said. Increased patrols could be implemented if the situation [continued. “We have a responsibility to the contractor,” said Mr McWilliam. The Drainage Board has a permanent reward of $lOO offered to persons who assist in the prosecution of vandals.