’MENACE TO TRAFFIC”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 136, 5 March 1929, Page 12

’MENACE TO TRAFFIC”

HUTT ROAD RAILWAY PIER ITS REMOVAL URGED ANOTHER EFFORT TO BE MADE Another effort is to be made to induce the Government to remove the central railway pier on the Hutt Road, which was so strongly opposed some time back by the combined local bodies of Wellington and suburbs. The executive of the Wellington Automobile Club last evening decided to instruct its representative pn the City and Suburban Highways Board to press for a combined deputation from public bodies to the Prime Minister with .. view to endeavouring to have the obstruction, which was described as a serious menace to traffic, removed. The subject was introduced by the following letter from Mr. J. D. Holmes, M.lnst.C.E.: — “Some time back strenuous efforts were made by the club to ■ prevent the new railway pier in the Hutt Road being erected, with no effect. Since then there has been a change in the party in power iu the general Government. The pier has been constructed in defiance of the wishes of a large number of people, and, in my opinion, contrary to the interests of safety to the users of the only main thoroughfare to and from the City of Wellington. “As the steel work has not been erected, I would like to suggest that the club arrange a deputation to the Prime Minister reouesting that the centre pier be removed, and a, suitable bridge erected from the two side piers. “As an engineer, with considerable experience of bridge design and construction, I say without hesitation that this can be easily done, and if it had been done when the club previously requested the alteration, the sum stated by Mr. Silver, namely, £l5OO, would have covered the cost. “Even now, the cost of the alteration is a trifle, compared with the cost of the work, but apart from that the presence of this pier and the other pier nearer Wellington is an ever-present danger to the'continuously increasing traffic on that road. Besides this, one of the basic principles of our constitution which our ancestos fought for and won, appears to have been deliberately, flouted—that is, the will of the people shall be the deciding factor. “Those who use the road realise only too well that the piers make the road into a one-day traffic road at, and for, some distance either side of the piers.

Porirua-Paremata Road. “Turn now to the Porirua-Paremata Road. This is the crookedest main highway in the world in flat, country. The old military road was reconstructed a .year or so ago by the Public Works Department, and, judging from the work done, it appears to me that a new road parallel with the railway could have been constructed for the money expended on cutting back the corners, and widening the fills on the old road. “This crooked road is a decided hindrance to the traffic oh that highway, and therefore should as soon as possible be eliminated, especially before a bitumen surface is placed. I would suggest that the Prime Minister’s attention be drawn to this road and a request made to have it straightened. I use the road frequently, and I feel sure ! that such an alteration would earn the’thanks of all the users of the road.” Members questioned whether there was much hope of reopening the subject, but Mr. I. V. Wilson declared' that they should take every step possible to endeavour to have the pier removed. As sure as fate.” he said, “there ; will be a serious accident if this pier is allowed to remain." . . Mr. A. Warburton ventured the opinion that the increase of traffic on the Hutt Road would compel the removal of the Pl Mr F. »W. Manton pointed out that a similar pier’at Auckland had been removed even after it had been put in. It was decided that the club’s representative on the City and Suburban Highways Board should bring the matter before that body with a view to nrranging a joint deputation to the Prime Minister from the local bodies of the district. ■