OTIRA GORGE ROAD

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1946, Page 3

OTIRA GORGE ROAD

IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED BY MR. W. F. HARLEY REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT Criticising the way in which the road between Otira and Arthur’s Pass had been allowed to fall into bad repair during the last few years, the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association decided at Christchurch last evening to ask the Public Works, Railways and Transport Departments to consider making' improvements. A proposal for eliminating a troublesome section of road near the Bridal Veil by building another bridge was put forward by Mr. W. F. Harley (secretary of the Greymouth branch of the association).

“We think the time has arrived for the Highways Board to make this an all-weather road,” said Mr. Harley.

“To eliminate the road giving trouble round the Bridal Veil, the river could be crossed by two bridges built on to an island and a new road made to the point where Candy’s Hut used to be. Another part that needs attention is the stretch between Kelly’s creek and Aicken’s, near Nellie’s creek. Shingle slides which grow bigger every year are endangering both the road and the railway line there.” Mr. F. W. Freeman said that the scheme seemed a good one, but the whole Dominion was clamouring for road improvements, many of which probably had greater priority than the one under discussion.

The association also agreed to refer these proposals to the South Island Motor Union for support.