ROADS IMPROVE

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1936, Page 6

ROADS IMPROVE

HIGHWAYS NOW OPEN A.A. REPORT MAIN ROUTE TO AUCKLAND.

The A.A. reports that road conditions throughout Northland are much easier today, that floods have subsided everywhere and that even on the worst routes repair gangs are quickly

providing access for one-way traffic, although, in some cases, months will elapse before the debris can be completely cleared. Culverts and watertables have suffered seriously in all Northern counties, but in almost every instance temporary repairs are enabling traffic to get through on main highways. Routes open which were dosed yesterday are:—

Otiria-Mangamuka-Kaitaia. Many large slips have come down in the Mangamuka Gorge, but gangs have cleared a track so that car traffifc can now use this main rouffe to Kaitaia. Care must be exercised, as there is only just room in many places for cars to get through. Traffic is not experiencing any difficulty in proceeding to the Far North via Kaeo, Mangonui and Oruru.

Kaitaia-Hereklno.—Reports to hand state that traffic is now getting through on this route. However, the road between Herekino and Broadifood is blocked, but today traffic can get from Broadwood to Kohukohu or Mangamuka. The road is. completely blocked at the Narrows between Kohukohu and Motukaraka, and until this route is cleared vehicular terry traffic from Rawene will have to go direct to Kohukohu.

Kalkohe-Walma-Rawene-Oporioni-Kauri Forests-Dargaville.—This route has been held up by flood water and slips, .but traffic is now making a through connection. Kaikohe-Mangakahia-Whangarel.— Flood water is down and slips cleared, enabling traffic to get through, but deduced speed is advised, owing to one-way traffic in several places. • Wbsuifarei-Dargaville via Kirikopuni.—By midday the extensive slips ih" the Wheki Valley had been cleared to allow one-way traffic, and although there is still 14 inches of water over Taylor’s Flat, cars are getting through, and by tomorrow travelling conditions on this road will be normal. The Houtu alternative will not be necessary. Kawakawa-Whangarei.—There are still 18 inches of water just north of Kawakawa, but with ordinary care practically all cars are getting through. By tomorrow, this route, also, will be back to normal.

Owing to the large nature of the slips on the Russell Road, there is no advice to hand as to when communication will be restored.

Many secondary roads are still blocked by slips. Among these are the Matapouri Road and the main roads to Whangarei Heads. It is expected that a track will be provided through the slips near Tamaterau by Saturday. The Dome Valley. Although some traffic managed to get through the Dome Valley last night and today, conditions were slippery, but by tomorrow travellers, should not be inconvenienced on this route.