WAIROA BRIDGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 July 1928, Page 8

WAIROA BRIDGE

- ■ MEETING AT BRIGHTWATER

gfWftftT T 9 WP HIGHWAY PUBLIC OPINION' EXPRESSED

A public meeting was held at the Wairoa bridge, Brightwater, yesterday, to discuss the threatened closing of the bridge during the construction of the new one. Apologies were received from Dr. S. A. Gibbs, chairman of the Automobile Association, Mr. A. Gould, president of the Progress League, and Mr Jas. Hunt, Mayor of Richmond. Mr F. C. Page, the chairman, explained that the meeting was the outcome of a decision of the Waintea County Council, which threatened to prevent communication over the river for the period that the new bridge was being built. The ratepayers wanted some way to cross the river. It would mean ruination to some business men in the district if the bridge were, closed, making a dead end road on both sides. He was of opinion that the present bridge should be left where it was/ and the new one erected alongside on the lower side. From Brightwater to Appleby over the bridge was 4.3 miles, while the distance via Waimea West was 10.7 miles. This extra- distance would be necessary if the traffic was diverted.

Mr A. E. Max, on behalf of the Automobile Association, said that the association was astounded to hear that the bridge was to be dismantled and a temporary one erected. A bridge on the lower side would serve the country. Mr Brewster, the late County Engineer, was satisfied to do that. To go round the Waimea West; road would mean £3OO a year to one firm alone. Mr Max mentioned the- upkeep of the narrow Waimea, West road, with all the traffic on it. ' He concluded: “Give us what we thought we would have when we met here three years ago.” Mr H. Everett, Wakefield, endorsed the previous speakers’ opinions. After a meeting at Brightwater in February lie had been under the impression that C-r. Corder had promised that the bridge would be kept ojben. A bridge built below would be just as much in alignment with the road as the present one. It would mean thousands of pounds to the ratepayers if the road was closed. He made a plea for a new bridge to be erected below the old one.

COST TO TRAVELLERS Mr T. Cook, of the Wakefield Progress League, gave figures to show the expense of travelling via Waimea West if the bridge was closed. Taking fifty vehicles each way would mean 400 miles with a four-mile longer journey only, but it was stated that the extra distance was about seven miles. If it cost 9 4-sd. extra per single trip, and 100 vehicles went over the road in a day, it would mean £1502 extra in petrol alone. Counting labour and wear and tear, it would cost over 83300 1 a year on a low estimate. It would be well over £6OOO if the bridge took two years to built. The extra cost would be much more for people'near the bridge on either side. The. figures were all on a conservative basis. Mi’ Cook thought that even if the County Council had to spend a fair amount on the bridge to keep it open, it seemed absurd for the ratepayers to be put to a large expense besides that which the Council was going to spend. Mr E. S. Hoult, of Wakefield, also spoke.

COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S OPINION

In reply, Cr. Cordev, chairman of the Waimea County, Council, said that he had agreed to what Mr Brewster had said about the bridge, but lie thought the late engineer had not gone into it as the present one had done. He •questional whether the Highways Board would approve of the bridge on the lower side of the present one. It was most desirable to have the jiew structure in the correct alignment, which was the wish of the Highways Board. At present there was nothing definite. The Engineer was inquiring into the cost of a temporary bridge, and would report at the next meeting. vA decision would be made after that. Cr. Corner said that the Council would not “just out of mere cussedness pull it down.” As he was going to Wellington next week he would ask the Highways Board if they would mind sacrificing the alignment, so that the old bridge could be left up in the meantime. The speaker made capital out of the previous state-ment-that closing the bridge would cost tlje ratepayers £6OOO in two years. Cr. Corder proposed that they give the Council a small portion of that amount and the Council would erect a temporary bridge for them. Mr S, Silcock was emphatic that the Council should be left to decide th'e matter. In answer to Mr Ccok, Cr. Corder could not give an idea what it would cost to put the Waimea West road in order and erect a culvert over the splash at Brightwater, but if the traffic was diverted they would probably get •30s for £1 subsidy on maintenance. Cr. J. Hagen wanted to old bridge to remain and the new one built on the lower side. In his opinion a temporary structure was of no use; a flood would wash it away, and he did not believe in spending money on a temporary bridge. Cr. L. M. Palmer said that the cost had to be taken into account, and before the Council would do anything it would be well thrashed out. He favoured the ratepayers sending a deputation to the Council. Mr 0. C. Wilkinson assured the ratepayers that the bridge would be put in the best place at the least cost, even if it was necessary to dismantle the bridge. It was a matter of finance. They had limited cash.to do the work. 'Other bridge loan proposals were pending, but this one had to be gone on with. The Council had £2OOO, but if they had to spend £6OO on a temporary bridge they would not get a new one. The Council would do all possible to keep the bridge open. Cr. Wilkinson said that it affected only a small part of the county. People in other parts of the county wore not in favour of the temporary bridge. FINANCIAL HELP At this stage Mr Cook announced lhat the ratepayers with the help of the Automobile Association were willing to donate £l5O towards a temporary bridge to keep the road open. The list was not yet complete. Another speaker did not agree with Cr. Wilkinson’s opinion that only a : small portion of the county was affected. He thought it was a very large part. Mr Builivant. the County Engineer, explained that the purpose of the Main

Highways Board was (o improve the roads. Money devoted to the roads was not to help the ratepayers, hut to improve. the road—take the corners oil. etc. Bridges had to he put in a good line with roads. If the new bridge was put on tho lower side of the present one there would still be a kink in the road. Dill 1X51? SHOULD BE KEPT OPEN I- The following motions were then car tried unanimously : (1) “That this meeting of ratepayers would respectfully urge upon the Main Highways Board the necessity ’of keeping the main highway open for all traffic 0 at this point whilst a new bridge is being erected, and requests that the Board give every assistance in its power to the Waimea County Council to enable this to be done. The ratepayers and the Automobile Association are prepared to find £2OO towards this purpose, and request that the Highways Board subsidise this amount.” (2) i? (a) That this meeting strongly protests against the proposed action of the Waimea County Council to close the Wairoa bridge oil the main highway at Brightwater. and would strongly urge the Council to take the necessary steps to keep this bridge open for all traffic whilst a new bridge is being erected, (b) That a strong deputation wait upon the Waimea t ounty t ouncil at its next meeting, and urge upon theCouncil the necessity of keeping tlic bridge open for traffic; and (c) That a copv of the motion be forwarded to Mr H. Atmore, iM.P.” The following deputation was nominated with power to add to its number: Messrs F. B. Page, A. E. Max, E. McPherson, T. Newman, E. Hodgson, 11. Everett, and T. Cook.