Rail-loop report sought

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 7

Rail-loop report sought

The Christchurch City Council will reconsider its stand on the SockburnStyx rail loop. It has previously supported the abandonment of the planned loop. Yesterday its town planning committee, which has twice previously considered the loop, sought a further report on the consequences of retaining the land designations for the deviation.

Cr Maurice Carter did not believe the council had fully investigated the matter. He said it had simply followed Canterbury United Council

opinion that the loop should be abandoned.

The loop has been planned for many years. It would take the railway line which now runs through the city’s northwest suburbs west round the city. Cr Alex Clark said the council had an interest in abandoning the loop plan because it would make developing Christchurch Airport easier. The Acting City Planner, Mr John Dryden, said development of the airport could be round the loop line, which was supposed to run beside air-

port land. In the longterm that would prove more difficult. Cr Carter said the council should note that Waimairi and Riccarton councils had opposed dropping the loop. More residents were affected in the City than in Riccarton or Waimairi, he said.

The Mayor, Sir Hamish Hay, read a letter from the Minister of Railways, Mr Prebble. Mr Prebble wanted to know how local authorities felt about the loop. If they supported it he wanted to know how it should be funded. Neither

the Railways Corporation nor the Government had funds for its construction. The letter was addressed to the United Council, whose report on the loop said it was too costly.

Cr Carter asked for more information. Cr Mollie Clark said his was a latter-day concern. He had not spoken before.

A report on the implications of retaining the designation on the land intended for the loop will be presented to the committee.