L.P.G. over Evans Pass

Press, 11 August 1982, Page 12

L.P.G. over Evans Pass

Sir—l was at a recent hearing instituted by the Christchurch City Council as a result of the accident to 'an L.P.G tanker on Evans Pass Road. The Sumner Residents’ Association had presented a petition requesting the banning of L.P.G. tankers over Evans Pass. Several speakers stated that L.P.G. transport is very safe and there is no cause for concern. Therefore, I ask the following questions: (1) Why won’t the Harbour Board permit the tankers to remain on their facilities once the tankers are ready to be driven away? (2) Why won’t the Lyttelton Borough Council allow the tankers to wait in a staging' area in Lyttelton whilst await ? . ing entry to the road tunnel? (3) 'Why won’t the tunnel management allow more than one tanker through the tunnel at any one time? From the above, I conclude that L.P.G. is considered extremely dangerous. Hence the Sumner Residents have every reason to question the transportation of L.P.G. over Evans Pass.—Yours, etc., B. R. HANSEN. July 23, 1982.

[The chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Captain A. R. Champion) replies: “As the whole question of the handling of L.P.G. through Lyttelton is at present being considered by a Commission of Inquiry, I do not think it would be appropriate for me to make any comment on this letter.”] [Mr D. A. Hillier, Lyttelton Town Clerk, replies: “During ■ the last six months the Lyttelton Borough Council has received a number of requests from private individuals and organisations seeking private parking within the borough. Because of the shortage of suitable flat land, the council has not been able to meet any of these requests. The Lyttelton Borough Council has not yet received a request for parking' for L.P.G. tankers. Should an application be received for such a- facility the same criteria would apply.”] [Mr R. D. Grant, District Commissioner of Works, replies: “The tunnel is controlled by the National Roads Board by-laws which allqw conditions to be placed on the movement of certain goods, L.P.G. being one of the restricted items. It is a dangerous goods item and there' must' be restrictions on its transportation. In assessing a desirable practice for the cartage of L.P.G. the tunnel control authorities have been guided by the Department of Labour dangerous goods inspectors, Fire Service, Ministry of Transport and carriers. This has resulted in only one vehicle being permitted in the tunnel at a time, with the tunnel closed to all other traffic. This -practice arises from safety considerations, and limited manoeuvre space within the tunnel itself in event of accident or breakdown. While the National Roads Board has agreed to the conditions that the tunnel will not be closed to permit L.P.G. • tanker movements between 7.30 a.m. and 9.00 a.m., 12.00 midday and 1.00 p.fti., 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., and night time travel, flexibility does exist to allow vehicles within these hours should other traffic volumes be low. This does occur and the co-opera-tion of the various carriers is appreciated. Passage of L.P.G. tankers generally occurs early morning and is, associated with morning berthing of shipping. The whole problem arises as this coincides with peak tunnel, traffic including 11 commuter and school bus movements. Each closing is approximately

seven minutes. Every effort is made to accommodate L.P.G. through the tunnel, and all would agree it is a preferred route to Evans Pass. However, other road users must be taken into consideration.”]