Survey for Franz Josef road

Press, 21 April 1982, Page 2

Survey for Franz Josef road

Engineers of the Ministry of Works have completed a two-day exploratory survey of possible new routes for an access road to the Franz Josef Glacier.' Much of the old road was swept away by the flooded Waiho River after three days of torrential rain lasT month. Since then, the only access to the glacier has been by heli-

copter. . The engineers have given noindication .as to their conclusions, but it is believed that they are now preparing a feasibility study for presentation to the’ National Roads Board which must ultimately , decide whether funds are to be granted for the work. • .'< , ’ A sub-committee of the Franz Josef Community Council has been appointed to co-ordinate regional and national support for the restoration of the road. The committee of 10 is chaired by a local businessman, Mr Ralph Fegan. “We plan to enlist-support from people throughout New Zealand to get this important tourist road open * again,” said Mr Fegan. “Surveys suggest that last year alone, about 60,000 people drove up to the glacier car-park.” Mr Fegan said that the car-park and about 3.5 km of the old road, about a third of it, had not been destroyed by the floods. , “We are hopeful that the encouragement already received from the Minister of Tourism (Mr Talbot) and the Minister- of Lands (Mr Elworthy) will prompt the Government into giving the access road high priority in its funding allocations,” said Mr Fegan.