MECHANICS' BAY ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14150, 27 August 1909, Page 6

MECHANICS' BAY ROADS.

ACCESS TO WATERFRONT. A question' involving access to the harbour front was before the City Council last night. The Works Committee submitted its report upon the recent conference it had held with representatives from the Auckland Harbour Board and the Parnell Borough Council, together with, the district engineer of railways, upon the proposals submitted by the latter for the proposed new roads, Mechanics' Bay. The proposals in question were to close Factory Road, and substitute a new road along the base of the hill from Alpha Road to Kings Drive, and a new road down the side of the hill from Manukau Road to King's Drive. The Council's concurrence to the scheme had been asked, and the city engineer had reported that it offered a reasonable and feasible solution of the difficulty re Mechanics' Bay Road and the western extension of Manukau Road. He recommended that the work should be proceeded with, and not delayed indefinitely, as suggested by the Department. Having gone into the matter, the committee now recommended that the road lines shown on the plan submitted be adopted ; that the eastern half of the existing load be left open in the meantime, pending the expiry cV the Harbour Board leases ; and that the Railway Department be asked to form the new road and erect the retaining wall. Mr. J- M. Mennie said the Council should watch the city's interests in this matter. The Railway Department proposed to shut Factory Road, and substitute a 66ft road, which would be crooked, and on which railway sheds would abut He pointed out that the proposal would deny the city proper access to the harbourfront. The proposed road would be too narrow for the traffic needs of the future, which were bound to increase when the wharves and dock shown on the plans of the harbour scheme were completed. The Council should keep a Toad of at least 100 ft in width, and the Railway Department should give the city sufficient access to the harbour.

The committee's recommendation was adopted.