WAITAKERE SCENIC ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21316, 18 October 1932, Page 13

WAITAKERE SCENIC ROAD

Sir, —While I believe that a scenic road is desirable along the northern frontage of the Waitakeres, which must in its general continuation bo a two-way road, will Mr. Bishop and the Waitemata County Council, whom he represents, tell us who is to bear the annual upkeep of this highway ? I have read that tho city authorities, possibly guided by their traffic control department, necessitates (his road having a complete formation of 24ft., with a metalled surface of 16{t. I say definitely that no road along this confused country can be formed 24ft. wide and kept open at a reasonable maintenance cost. As an instance of the difficulties of forming a highway on our western hills I would refer tho promoters to Exhibition Drive, and ask tho Waitemata County Council, as tho promoters of this newest cut, just what estimate they would make for widening Exhibition Drive on a 24ft. formation between Titirangi and MacKay's Rest ? So far as I havo been able to read, through tho press, there is no suggestion that the newly-proposed highway would be a charge on tlio Highways Board. Therefore, it must bo assumed that after the Public Works Department has made a hazardous guess at the capital cost to be levied against tho Unemployment Fund, tho ratepayers of the Waitemata County are to be left to nurse tho baby, and it will bo a pretty heavy one, of keeping this scenic drive open. Titirangi. H. J. Atkinson.