CONDITION OF ROADS

Evening Star, Issue 26041, 4 March 1947, Page 9

CONDITION OF ROADS

MANY DANGER SPOTS PROTEST BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION The possibility of a fatal accident arising from the condition of some of the city streets was emphasised by a deputation from the Automobile Association (Otago),' which waited on the City Council, at-its meeting last night. The deputation comprised the president (Mr .G. H. Ferehs), a vice-president (Mr D. Forsyth), and Mr H. S. Reid. After the. deputation had withdrawn, the matter was'referred to the Works and Transport Committees for consideration. _ .... "The. association is greatly. disturbed by the dangers which exist in seyeral city streets,” said Mr Ferens. In the interests of the motorists and of safety he asked for a hearing for the deputation. It was. realised that it was impossible to deal with all the streets, but he submitted to the deputy-mayor (Cr J. McCrae) _ a list of streets most urgently requiring attention. ,

" Now that you have your own private war over, as a result of which we are going to have some line streets, ive have'a'request,” said Mr Forsyth. He emphasised the fact that the members of the ■ association understood the difficulties facing the. council, and did not come before the council m any carping spirit. They realised it would be some time, before any great improve-. nient could be hoped for. Reports or minor accidents had. been received, and it was considered only fair to approach the council first.’ A survey had been made by the association’s service officers, and a list of more than 30 dangerous holes was submitted to the deputy mayor. The North road whs HI a particularly bad state throughout its whole length, continued Mr borsyth. In fact, a visitor to the city recently had said that the worst portion of the road between Christchurch and > Dunedin was from Normanby to the citv It was suggested by the speaker that the patching up of • the_ holes 'itemised bv the service officers of the association should be made a No. 1 priority by the Council. Motorists had their cars badly shaken, and perhaps get slices of tram rails in their tyres, but the position was worse for cyclists, who risked the danger of accidents when their wheels went into the holes. ■ . " You are carrying the responsibility of the possibility of a fatal accident,” said Mr Forsyth. In the event of the council not making an improvement in the roads—-and that was no threat—he had been instructed by his association to 6ay it would take other steps. . Cr M. Connelly pointed out that some of the holes had been filled in from time to time,-but the material used was shaken out again by passing traffic. He asked the deputation if it desired the council to do something of a more, permanent nature. Mr Forsyth claimed that it was not the province of the association to decide how the job should be done. They were merely pointing out the dangers which existed. Replying to a question from the deputy mayor, Mr Forsyth said the service officers had made their survey on Friday last.

Cr McCrae assured the members of the deputation that the. matter would be considered b.v the council. He was pleased that a list of the worst holes had been supplied. This, would receive attention from the council.

On the motion of Cr M. Connelly the matter was referred to the Works and Transport Committees.