ROADS TO WELLINGTON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 305, 22 November 1934, Page 8

ROADS TO WELLINGTON

CONTEMPLATION OF IMPROVEMENTS. . BY HIGHWAYS BOARD. WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. Improvements to traffic roads between Wellington and Palmerston North were urged by representatives of the Automobile Association (Wellington) in an open conference yesterdaj afternoon with the Main Highways Board, which had arranged also to receive deputations from several local bodies. A spirit of goodwill and cooperation marked the meeting, and both parties appeared to be delighted with the fact that, in respect or most of the improvements suggested, the board’s policy and even its programme of work had anticipated the assoication’s proposals. The aims of the Automobile Association were outlined by Mr E. Palliser, chairman of its road committee, who explained that the main proposal related to the highway __ between Wellington and Palmerston North, and was that the board should make a survey and prepare an estimate of the cost of improving the Makerua deviation through Opiki to the standard of a main highway. This was a level road leaving the main highway at Shannon and it would reduce the distance to Palmerston North by approximately 2J miles, although the reduction in time would be relatively greater. They wanted the whole of the deviation improved. ... . There had been many accidents and narrow escapes in the hilly part of the road between Shannon and Palmerston North which, because of the configuration and nature of the country, was difficult to maintain in safe condition. Jt was felt that if the Makerua deviation through Opiki were constructed up to main highway standard, the saving in maintenance would be considerable. If this were done it was probable that extensive subdivision of the drained swamp area in the locality would be stimulated. The work might cost £2OOO a mile, possibly more, probably less, but they felt certain that it would prove an economic proposition. He emphasised that there was no danger of the road becoming flooded. Representatives of the association would be willing to visit the district and inspect the road in company with members of the board. Mr C. J. McKenzie (Chief Public Works Engineer and chairman of the Main Highways Board) said that a similar request had been received from the north, and it was probable that they would all. meet at the road and look into the conditions. LEVEL CROSSING PROBLEM. The national problem of level railway crossings was also discussed by Mr Palliser, who said the Automobile Association hoped that now tile country had turned the second or third economic corner the work of eliminating the most dangerous crossings would be resum'ed. Mr McKenzie: The board itself is taking action, and lias got instructions to hold a conference with the Railways Board. We are anxious to revive the agreement with the board, and a conference will be held soon. Mr Palliser: That is most pleasing news. He went on to urge the Main Highways Board to do everything possible to encourage all local bodies to extend the system of marking roads with white posts. Painted boulders were not,, satisfactory, could be removed by cattle, and often were dangerous. Another matter calling for the hoard’s attention was the unsafe condition of the road north of Waikanae. It had dropped into a dangerous state. The chairman: V 7 e are going to continue the work of improving that part of the -road. In fact, the hoard voted some money for it to-day. Mr Palliser also referred to the need of some improvement on the road just north of Porirua—the gateway of AVellington. It was work that could he allotted to local unemployed men. The chairman: I can relieve your mind; the board is going to do it. Mr Palliser: Splendid; you must have read our thoughts. WIDTH OF BRIDGES. It was mentioned by Mr Palliser that the association was apprehensive about the width of one-way bridges. The proposed minimum of eight feet was “a bit lean.” The chairman explained that such a width would be adopted only in very exceptional cases on roads carrying little more than two or three vehicles a day. It would not be the standard width for one-way bridges. Mr Palliser asked if the board intended to maintain up to standard the Akatarawa-Waikanae road.

The chairman: Yes, we intend to maintain the road up to main highway standard.

The board also conferred in private with deputations from the Hutt County Council, the Makara County Council, and the Jolmsonville Town Board.