BLAKETOWN BRIDGE

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1941, Page 2

BLAKETOWN BRIDGE

Harbour Board’s Proposal BOROUGH SUBSIDY SUGGESTED. A deputation from the BlaketownPreston Road Citizens and Ratepayers’ Association, comprising Messrs W. Herring, J. W. Grant and F. McEnaney last night waited on the Greymouth Borough Council with a suggestion in regard to the proposed bridge over the Blaketown j_,agoon. Mr Herring said that they wished to place before the Council their view as to the proposal of the Harbour Board to build a bridge across the lagoon. The bridge was to carry oniy goods for the Harbour Board. They wished to see if the Council would subsidise the Board and*nave a traffic bridge built. The Board’s engineer stated the bridge could be strengthened at small cost. It wouid then be ’a great, saving to the town. Mr Grant said that without a bridge, a detour of about a mile and a-half was necessary to get to Blaketown. It would be a big saving to have a heavy traflic bridge.- The bus driver would save £lOO a year by crossing over the new bridge. Two tons was the maximum load for the projected bridge, and the ’bus was lour tons when empty. Once the bridge was built it would be a costly matter at a later date to strengthen it. If the alterations were not made at present, they would never be made. Mr McEnaney said the saving in oil fuel would mean a large benefit at the present time. Blaketown had no outlet in the event oi an emergency. The proposed traflic bridge would enable doctors to reach Blaketown quickly. He asked Councillors to give the matter their favouraole consideration. Cr. F. F. Boustridge asked if the maximum load were two tons. Cr. A. H. McKane said that the plans were only in preparation and there was nothing about a two-tons maximum. He asked if the Harbour Board Engineer had discussed the matter with the Borough Engn eer. The Borough Engineer (Mr A. J. Fairmaid), said the bridge wouid be of four stringers, and lhey would not carry more than two tons' If it were designed to carry more, they would have to be strengthened. It would only be a one-way bridge. To widen it would entail considerable expense. Cr. Boustridge said it was a matter the Council should go into. The Harbour Board should see if the alterations were necessary. Some enquiry should be made about the probable cost. He moved that the Borough Engineer, with the Harbour Board Engineer estimate the cost of making a one-way traffic bridge. Cr. J. B. Kent seconded the motion, suggesting- that the Council cooperate with the Board by giving a small subsidy. The Harbour Board would do the work, which would be of great assistance to both the Blaketown people and the Borough. The cost would not come into the present year’s expenditure, but next year's. The motion was carried. The Mayor asked if the Blaketown people would consider the Robinson Street bridge necessary if the other bridge were built. Mr Herring said that the bridge was a benefit only to a small portion of Blaketown. Cr. McKane said that if the proposed bridge were a one-way structure, it would be necessar-- to have a footbridge.