CITY AND SUBURBAN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 11

CITY AND SUBURBAN HIGHWAYS BOARD

SHOULD IT GO OUT OF EXISTENCE?

HUTT ROAD NOT TO BE WIDENED

After the proposal to widen the Hutt Road had been thrown out by yesterday’s meeting of the City and Suburban Highways Board, some discussion took place regarding the board’s future, one member suggesting that after completion of the programmed works “the whole business should be wound up.’’ Eventually a committee was set up to report on possible road-paving extensions.

For some little time past the question as to whether the Hutt Road pavement should be widened or not has been agitating the minds of those, immediately concerned with the administration of our permanent roads. One proposal was made that fills work might lie done witli the balance of tho £lOO.OOO loan (some £35.000). which it is estimated will be left when the coming season’s work is accomplished. The matter was brought up at yesterday’s meeting of the Highways Board by a deputation representative of tlie payers of heavy traffic fees. On behalf of these people Mr. B. L. Hammond expressed the opinion that to widen the existing pavement would tend to create danger rather than remove it, as instead of restricting it to two definite lines, traffic would be distributed all over the widened road. The main reason for the objection, however, was that heavy motor transport was operating under excessive taxation, but whenever tlie Government was approached for relief the answer was that the money was required for highways. There was no doubt that many of the heavy vehicles were not paying their way, and would go off the road when the time came for replacement. The Hutt Road was not congested, except perhaps on race days, and the widening would be a waste of public money. Mr. A. Fletcher said that there was no sound ground upon which the widening of the road could be urged unless it was to keep the paving plants going. Cost of Haunch Maintenance.

Mr. IV. H. Bennett asked whether the deputation was aware of the heavy annual cost in maintaining the haunches of the Hutt Road. Mr. Hammond did not consider that expense a justification for further widening as there would still be haunches to maintain. Mr. Bennett: Is the deputation against the raising of the £35,000 for any purpose ? Mr. Hammond said there was no objection to spending the money on extensions, but he considered the widening unnecessary.

Mr. 11. D. Bennett asked would the carriers object to the widening if their taxes were reduced? Mr. Hammond said they would still object on the score of the possible danger created. Mr. Bennett: Do you appreciate the fact that the one big reason .for widening is the difficulties that drivers often have in passing your own trucks on the road? , , Mr. Hammond said, ilint such difficulties would not arise if drivers waited until the road was clear. Tlie danger arose when they tried to pass three abreast. The Financial Position. After the deputation withdrew the Mayor stated that, the question had arisen 'as to whether tlie board had the power to spend the loan money upon widening operations. The city solicitor had advised that the board did not have the power under existing legislation, and would therefore have to secure special legislation before embarking on the work. In reviewing the finances the Mavor said that when the present scheduled works were completed out of the lonn of £65,400 (of the £lOO,OOO authorised last year) there would he a deficit of £4904. There remained then £34,600 to be raised. Against that there was the £4904 deficit, and a sum of £5OOO for the paving of the Ngahau-

ranga Gorge Road, leaving £24.69: for the board to work on. The proposed widening of tlie Hutt 16ft. would entail a laying down of 48,747 square yards of butimen. which, at 12s. 6d. a yard, would cost £30,966. Adding the usual percentages for contingencies the cost would be £36,081, for which only £24.697 was available. Mr. D. It. Haggard said that the position was that the board had £2-1.000 for contingencies, and the “Lord only knows' whether that would be available when everything was cleared up. A Bombshell. Apart from the merit or demerits of the widening proposals. Mr. 11. D. Bonnett stated that the opinion of the city solicitor had come as a bombshell, for the board had never intended to place itself beyond the consideration of the widening iit some time, in tlie future, which had evidently come about ns the result of tlie combined legislation. Tho blow, however, was reduced by the financial statement, but lie did think that the amount of 12s. 6d. a yard was rather high. If it were correct costs had gone up considerably from 10s. since the first Hutt Road work was done. Also a widening to a less width than 16ft. could be considered to meet the financial position. The I’etone Ramp. A letter was received from Mr. Furkert, chairman of the Main Highways Board, stating that as the Hutt Road was uot a main highway his board could not cuter into negotiations with the Railway Department in regard to the proposed overbridge at I’etone, and could not agree to'bcar any portion of the cost being borne by the Wellington City mid Suburban Highways Board, unless such contributions were made to the local board by local bodies concerned. Tlie Mavor: That ends the overbridge, as if it. is to be made up out of our funds it is going to be an imaginary bridge. e have no fit nils. - , „ Mr. G. Mitchell maintained that the overbridge had to be provided. It was somebody’s responsibility, and the Mayor should take steps to see that this need was met. , . The Mayor said the obvious reply from the Main Highways Board was that if the local bodies were so anxious about an overbridge, they should pay for it. Mr. Mitchell said that the matter should not be allowed to drop. He moved that the board should wait upon the Prime Minister, and ascertain the exact position. All members of the board present agreed to form the deputation. Mr. W. T. Strand (Hutt) proposed that £5OOO should be made available for the ramp, if legislation could be obtained. A “Wind-up” Suggested.

Mr. W. 11. Bennett thought that tlie best tiling to do was to borrow enough to complete the programmed works, and then wind up the whole business. He was opposed to tho idea of the board carrying. out paving works in the city and boroughs—work which should be done by the local bodies concerned.. . Mr. Hoggard said lie was also inclined to agree with that proposal. Mr. McKenzie (Petone) urged that the board should do all it could to see that a ramp was provided at Petone. Mr. If. J. Stott said that the board should not lose sight of the U>nt the Government had set aside £240,000 to be spent on rendering level- crossings safe, over a period of years. Finally, a committee, consisting ot the Mayor, and Messrs 11. D. Bennett, W. T. Strand, ami D. 11. Hoggard, should bring down a report ou the matter ot possible road-paving extensions, at the next meeting of the board.