PORIRUA CROSSING

Evening Post, Issue 87, 9 October 1936, Page 11

PORIRUA CROSSING

PROPOSED NEW ROUTE

COUNCIL'S ATTITUDE

. Opposition to a proposal to carry the: main road through Porirua past the public school and over the railway line to eliminate the level crossing was; the Subject of a letter from the Minister'■of Public Works (the Hon. K. Semple) which was considered by the Makara' County Council today." One councillor claimed that there were more suitable routes, and the matter was referred'back to the Minister.

"I regret to observe that nothing has yet been put forward of a constructive nature by thosejwho have criticised the several proposals for eliminating the level crossing in Porirua," the Minister wrote. ■ '

"This crossing is regarded as one of the most dangerous, in New Zealand, and no time should be lost in its elimination. ..Generally it is considered that as most of the children, require to pass: into 'the .township-, -the danger will not in any way be accentuated, particularly as it is proposed to fence off the footpath fronting the school. 'it seems to me that the latest pro-posal-is the best that has been put forward, and I, see •no reason, why it should not.be adopted:" Councillor E; Wihdley (Belmont Riding) said there were other suitable alternatives. and. the criticisms had come from one area that was in danger of being flooded if the roadway was built up there, and . from business people who considered they would be cut out of the main-road business. The question of cutting out the level crossing had been considered for years and various proposals had been made, and a route had been approved by a previous Government. Why, was that not gone on with? he asked. The Department had decided to go past the public school which* had been avoided in the first place. The 160 children attending the school converged on the school and so' constituted a danger. The residents of' Porirua believed the Minister. :was. sincere when he expressed a desire to minimise road accidents, but how was the Pr°P°f l going to do that? He moved that the matter should be referred back to the Minister and the points raised Bothamley (Tltahi Riding) said that he did not agree that the crossing was one of the most dangerous in New Zealand. While the red lights were on it was suicide to try to cross, but if'the lights were observed the crossing was safe, and he considered it was a waste of money to build an overhead bridge. If one was necessary the railway station should be moved south and the present route used; '

The motion was carried,