Alternative Route to Gorge Road

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 196, 21 August 1935, Page 4

Alternative Route to Gorge Road

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I feel compelled to bring to your notice, injustice to ourselves as a community, the deplorable slate of affairs in connection ivit.li tlie slips on the Manawatu Gorge highway. Naturally, theso blockages cannot be prevented. except at a huge expense, but an alternate route can be provided at a. trifling expense, comparatively speaking. I am speaking of the proposed road over the ranges. There are already five miles to the top of the ranges on the southern side in everyday nse, and only another three miles is required to complete it to the Askhurst side. The proposed road is already surveyed and provides an easy grade. I understand also the land is to be provided by tho settlers at the top of the range in Hail block. This project has been approved by certain neighbouring county councils and many other interests including livestock interests. At present motor traffic has ta encounter mobs of cattle and sheep at certain periods of the day. Considering traffic has to be diverted many miles from its destination via the Pahiatua track, which at present is unsafe and not fitted in any respect for heavy traffic, when an alternative route is already on the spot, I claim wo arc fifty years behind the times as to modern motor highways. The Highways Hoard claims such an alternative route is not necessary at present with such an excellent road provided in tho gorge, but ask the average motorist from Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, Wanganui and northwards, and tho matter stands in another light. I may say also tho slips at present in the gorgo are liable to happen at any time on any motorist. Moreover, as the Government is sec King for sound means oi providing public works for employment purposes, what could bo better? Ana why the delay*—l am, etc., “SAFETY FIRST.”