THE COAST ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 119, 22 May 1935, Page 7

THE COAST ROAD

SUGGESTED DEVIATION

PLIMMERTON-PAEKAKARIKI

An additional argument In favour of the suggested coastal highway from Plimmerton (to, Paekakariki,' iwas brought forward by Mr. A..R. Hislop at a meeting of the council of the "Wellington Chamber, of Commerce last evening. Reviewing the action that has been taken to secure the road, Mr. Hislop said that such a road would reduce travelling time between Wellington and Paekakariki ,by about onethird and if an alternative aerodrome were established at „Paekakariki■., that saving would, be of I great>importance. Mr. Hislop said he'understood no further action would-be takenVuntil a reply had been received from the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. Bitchener), who had t been asked- io have the route 'surveyed and an estimate'of the* cost of'construction prepared. The association formed'to press for the road believed that the cost of construction would be under £100,000. Since the Transport \ Co-ordination Board nad passed certain strictures on the Wellington municipal aerodrome and had held 'that' an alternative to Rongotai should" be established in the interest of commercial aviation, it was possible that the alternative aerodrome would have to be, up the Paekakariki line. For that reason the suggested road would'be of giyat importance the need for an aerodrome at Paekakariki would be an'argument in favour of the road. ' ' A road along the coast between Plimmerton and Paekakariki wduld shorten the distance to the latter centre and, would eliminate the climb over the Paekakariki hill. , This, shortening of the route and lowering of the altitude would' cut down travelling 'time "between the city and Paekakariki. Jay . about' one-third.' That was* a con-' siderable saving in road transport and if commercial, aeroplanes had to land at Paekakariki'when1 the weather was unsuitable at-RongotaMt wouldTbeimportant, as mails an^ passengers would probably be conveyed to'the city "by road.