THE MAIN HIGHWAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 10

THE MAIN HIGHWAY

NGAHAURANGA GORGE

NEW ROUTE SUGGESTED

Comment on the proposed improvements to the main road north through the Ngahauranga Gorge was made at a meeting today of the Makara, County Council.

Councillor R. G. Mexted referred to the increased wear and tear on the by-roads which would be occasioned by the closing of the main road. Wear would almost certainly be trebled, and he considered that the Main Highways Board should subsidise the Makara County Council, whose task it was to keep the secondary roads in order.

A councillor drew the attention of the council to the condition of the Wakefield Gully road, which is at present closed because of an extensive slip. If the gorge road was to be closed, he said, it was essential that the Wakefield Gully road should be opened up as soon as possible to provide access particularly to Newlands.

Councillor E. Windley, who occupied the chair, expressed the opinion that not sufficient notice had been taken of alternative routes during the closing of the gorge. No matter what they did to the gorge road, it would still be the Ngahauranga Gorge. Personally, he did not think that the gorge road was a dangerous one; but he was not satisfied that an improvement of it was the best and most economical way to obtain a better main highway.

He suggested that a better route for a new main highway would be by way of the Wakefield Gully and NewlandsPaparangi roads, and down through Glenside. It was certainly a better route than the existing one, and he doubted if it would cost as much. Ngahauranga Gorge was better left as it was. He moved that the authorities should be asked to examine this suggestion. The motion was carried unanimously.