MUST TAKE CARE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4341, 9 October 1950, Page 6

MUST TAKE CARE

USE OF BACK MIRANDA ROAD DECISION OF PLAINS COUNCIL The question of improvements to back Miranda road was the subject of a report by the engineer, Mr E. Hazeldine-Barber, to the September meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council. “An inspection of this road was carried out by the chairman and myself on Thursday, August 24. The surface of the road was in good condition. Visibility on the road generally was not bad but could be improved in places by cutting back overhanging growth. Some corners should Ibe treated by drivers with reasonable care but in our opinion cannot be classed as dangerous,” stated the engineer’s report. “The corner referred to in a letter to the council at its last meeting and described as dangerous and very easily widened is certainly one of the worst on the road, but is one that cannot be cheaply widened. This road was originally metalled to a width of 10 feet and was never built for articulated trucks or vehicles approaching that size. During the past 15 years the road has been continually improved, new wider culverts installed, some sections widened, and the surface improved out of all recognition. This has been carried out as maintenance and consequently the amount allowed for maintenance has ahyays been liberal compared with other roads. On this year’s estimates the amount is £5’72, which wfifll again allow for some improvements,” continued the report. “Gentlemen you have two alternatives: (1) To carry on as at present and make some improvement each year, which I strongly recommend or (2) make this a major work and allocate funds accordingly which I consider would be grossly unfair to your ratepayers as a whole and quite unwarranted,” the report concluded. The question was discussed at length by the council but the general opinion was that the road was in reasonably good condition considering the traffic which used the road. It was decided to adopt the engineer’s first suggestion and make some improvement each year to the back Miranda road. Councillors expressed the opinion that users of the road should drive with reasonable card.