TOTARA ROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 61, 14 March 1939, Page 8

TOTARA ROAD

«To the Editor.) x Sir,—To allow any road to get into a bad state of disrepair is not good policy at any time, but to allow a road to get into the extremely dangerous state, such as Totara Road, from the top of Camperdown Road to Nevay Road, is a matter of serious concern. Totara Road with its curves and sharp bends requires extreme caution both by motorists and pedestrians at any time, but in the condition it is in at the, present time, it is necessary to traverse the road in many places. On one side of the road there has never been any attempt made to carry away storm water and consequently with the angle of the road continually changing to conform with the grade and bends, the water has made deep channels. On the opposite side of the road, a waterway channel had been made but this is now overgrown with grass and weeds and the channel is completely choked up. The footpath, or rather what should be the footpath, is overgrown and practically useless. Attempts have been made to cover the road with shingle and many times has a grader been run over the surface but, with such a steep gradient, this was worse than useless, as there was nothing to prevent the shingle from being washed away and now, in certain parts of the road, there are yards of shingle in dangerous deep piles. " Parts of the road resemble a driedup river bed and during the past four months nothing whatever has been done to repair the road. Some of the residents have been informed, this is hearsay, that as soon as the 17 or 18 Government Houses which are being built in this vicinity are erected, the road will be permanently repaired. At the present rate this will take some months. During the past nine years the rates have risen approximately 75----per cent. The widening of the roads was carried out under the relief scheme. Apart from the extension of the lighting system and the occasional grading of the roads and the shingle used, the residents in this district can see no appreciable advantages for the increase in the rates. Water and drainage is a charge on the rates but with the increase in property, this is proportionately provided for in the rating. We are given to understand that this road will be extensively used. by visitors to the "Glen" camping ground. It certainly leads to one of the most glorious views that can be seen anywhere in New Zealand, or any other country for that matter, but the approach in its present state is a reproach to the city authorities. It cannot be that the authorities are unaware of the bad condition of Totara | Road, as all roads are surveyed periodic-

ally and that is the reason why I have taken this liberty of writing to the "Evening Post." Possibly some repairs may be effected, at least we are entitled to a claim for safety first.—l am, etc., G. SHIELDS.