THORNDON RAMP

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 129, 2 June 1936, Page 10

THORNDON RAMP

VERY NECESSARY BUT SOME WON'T PAY ALLOCATION PROBLEM

There are now good prospects of a ■ way round the difficulty of finance for j the construction of the Thorndon ramp '■ and overbridgc to connect the Hutt Road and the new roadway along the Thorndon breastwork. The question was referred to very briefly at the meeting of the City Council last night, but the details of the suggested allocation of cost were discussed in committee, as certain points are not yet finalised. | The Thorndon ramp question has been on the list for an immediate, answer for quite a few years now. The, ramp, and also another at Davis Street, j were shown quite definitely upon the railway goods yard plan which accompanied the annual statement of the Minister of Railways in 1924, twelve years ago, so evidently the ramp was considered a necessary part of the layout then. For several years the Wellington

railway expansion plans remained in the departmental and Government lockers, and during that time the longstanding argument as to what Wellington should receive as compensation for the taking of Thorndon Esplanade—in its best years the promenade for Wellington City, but later only a draggled path—was settled, but in the settlement provision of a ramp had no place, though the making and surfacing of the new waterfront road were provided for. j The Thorndon ramp came right to the front again—after, not before, the settlement—and everyone who spoke of it was agreed that it is essential if any service is to be had in return for the several thousands of pounds put into the new roadway formation.

NOT COMPARABLE. Some years ago a considerable agitation arose over the need of a ramp at the Petonc level crossing, but, in the face of the very heavy cost of construction and acquisition of properties (or compensation for diversion of traffic), a total of £40,000 or more, the proposal came to nothing. Hutt Road traffic has managed without a ramp at Petone, but there cannot be a comparison between that crossing and a level crossing which would be created at Thorndon if the waterfront roadway is opened without overbridge access. The Petone crossing has two sets of main traffic tracks, but the Thorndon crossing will have four sets as well as shunting tracks which will be much busier than the occasionally-used shunting and local business track at the Petone crossing. About 100 trains will pass the Thorndon crossing daily, apart from extras and shunting operations, and the road traffic over a level crossing there would be at least double that over the rails at Petone. It is clear, and it is agreed by everyone concerned, that there is no comparison between the two.

CONTRIBUTIONS. It is upon the sharing of the cost, which may be £30,000 to £40,000, that there is not agreement. The Railway Department some time ago agreed to contribute £5000 (plus land valued at £4200), and £10,000 was suggested as a contribution from the Unemployment Board. These two contributions still leave a wide gap to be filled, of £15,000, and it was proposed that £10,000 should be found by the local bodies of the Wellington district, the City Council contributing the greatest share. Still there would remain a gap of £5000 if the ramp and overbridge can be constructed for £30,000—and a larger gap again if the Hutt Road approaches are divided, in order that | dangers to traffic approaching and leaving the ramp may be minimised. The probable additional cost of the double approach to the overbridge from the Hutt Road has not been made known, but it must be considerable. . The immediate difficulty is as to me shares which the local bodies should carry. The City and Suburban Highways Board, which has a close interest in Hutt Road traffic, is out of the picture, for it lias neither money nor power to raise money for the work, I and in past, discussions it has been i ruled that Main Highways funds are not available for work upon a road which has not been regarded as a.main highwav. Motorists want the ramp, but have expressed hearty disapproval of all proposals that they should agree to a special tax or levy. Wellington Citv is quite willing to bear a good solid share of the cost, but certain ot I the nearby local authorities have so far declined, for various, reasons. Ine Wellington Harbour Board has taken no part in any recent discussion of : ways and means, maintaining that road traffic is outside its interests, which are confined to harbour matters.

NEW STATION TRAFFIC COMPLICATIONS.

Several methods of procedure have been suggested to bring all local bodies into the picture, financially as well as morally, but with no signal success However, within almost a matter of months the new railway station will be opened to business and traffic complications in the Lambton area bottle-neck will pile up seriously unless Thorndon Quay traffic can be relieved. Further delay will prolong that inevitable congestion in Featherston Street, and a clear enough indication has been given by the Minister of Transport, the Hon. R. Semple, that longer delay in reaching agreement will not be popular. MINISTER'S PLAIN HINT. "We have to arrive at a solution of this difficulty," said Mr. Semple, when the question of division of cost was last brought before him by a joint deputation. ''There is no doubt that the ramp is necessary in the interests of public safety. In my opinion the ramp is not only a city service or a subur- j ban service, but a national service, and later he added, "We have to make up our minds that this work is going to | be done. We can't fool with it any J longer." , ~ . Since then a series of discussions have been held between representatives of the Railways and Public Works Departments and of the City Council, as was suggested by the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan on the occasion of the deputation, and it was no doubt upon the recommendations made as a result of these conferences that the City Council's discussion last night took place, towards a scheme of finance which will dictate "shares where shares cannot be agreed upon after years of wrangling.