LYTTELTON-CHRISTCHURCH ROAD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12934, 30 September 1902, Page 6

LYTTELTON-CHRISTCHURCH ROAD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —That a main road, should have been completed years ago 'from -Lyttelton: to Christchurch will be admitted by all farseeing business men, also by those who have the -welfare of Canterbury at heart. I -will admit that the Sumner Road should be completed, either on Captain Thomas's grade of 1 in 20, or the City Surveyor's plaw of a short tunnel through Evan's Pass; but that route should be taken only for light Vehicular traffic, and not for heavy traction purposes, as the distance by Sumner to Christchurch is too great, hence the necessity for a shorter route. My opinion is, that if a. short tunnel-were put through the hill at West Lyttelton' (Dampier's Bay Gully), to meet the Heathcote Gully on the Christchurch side, it would place us in the best possible position for choosing our ground, for line of grade and the shortest distance to the city. On the Lyttelton side the road, on leaving the tunnel mouth, would wind round the Bridle Path Ridge into Salt's Gully, and continue on into the town. There is plenty of length, to give- the required grade of 1 in 20. On the Heathcole Valley side, the engineers would have the choice of two routes, either to the right, and down to the Ferry Bridge, or to the left, and down to the Lyttelton Reservoir; both' ways having easy cutting, and length of hill for the required grade, as in both cases it would be below the precipices. I should prefer the Ferry Road' as the trunk line, being more suitable than the narrow roads of the other route to the city. I felt, in moving the motion at the Borough Council for a conference with the local bodies concerned, that if this route was adopted, it would be of the greatest benefit to Lyttelton, by giving us easy access to tlia best land we have for building purposes, and would relieve*, the pressure now felt, in) that direction. The cost of road, making and lighting of tunnel, and maintenance of line would be subjects to be dealt with at the conference.—l am, etc., W. RADCLIFFE. Lyttelton, Sept, 25.