Engineer lists priorities

Press, 13 December 1989, Page 9

Engineer lists priorities

By

KAY FORRESTER

Christchurch’s retiring city engineer, Mr John Ince, says two reading projects should have priority — the northern arterial route and Fendalton Road. Mr Ince, who will leave his Christchurch City Council office tomorrow after 30 years with the council, believes the rest of the city is well-served by arterials. “There’s been a lot of work to the south and in the east, but there’s an acute shortage of arterial routes in the north, and work needs to be done to the west,” he said. Housing development in the west of the city meant inevitable pressures on existing roads, such as Fendalton Road, he said. Mr Ince joined the council staff in February, 1960, from the Ministry of Works Ohakuri power project near Mangakino. He started as a staff engineer with a specialty in structural works. Two years later he became the design engineer. In the 21 years that he held that post the council experienced a period of growth. “A lot of work had been left after the war. By the 1960 s there was a real feeling that things had to be done. We built one bridge a year in the city for the next 15 years,” he said. “When I started, motorways like Brougham Street were not even thought of. Work was done in the 1960 s on the city’s transportation plan. A lot of progress has been made on motorways. “The council is now showing more determination about the northern arterial as well.” For the last six years Mr Ince has held the post of city engineer, a post that does not exist in the new Christchurch City management structure. His role comes within the brief of the new group manager, technical services, Mr Jim Williamson. “I liked the title city engineer. I think it allowed people to identify clearly the person with the job. Now everyone is a manager and the identity of people with jobs is less clear.” Mr Ince is still officially on the council books until February while he uses up accrued leave.