BRIDGE OVER RAILWAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23009, 9 April 1938, Page 11

BRIDGE OVER RAILWAY

ROTORUA REQUEST FAILS COST CONSIDERED TOO GREAT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] ROTOKUA, Friday Information that the Railway Department was upable to provide any money for the construction of an overbridge across the Hotorua railway yards, for the use of pedestnkns living in the southern portion of the town, was received from the Minister of Railways, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, by the Rotorua Borough Council.. The letter was in reply to recent representations which .were made by the council to the Minister pointing out the danger to the public crossing the railway yards to their homes to avoid long detours via Ranolf Avenue or Fen ton Street. Representations had also been made regarding the removal of the present engine shed near the level-crossing in Ranolf Avenue, owing to this constituting a danger to traffic.

The Minister stated in his reply that investigations which had been made indicated that the cost of over £6OOO of constructing an overbridgo for pedestrians was out of all proportion to the advantages which would be given to residents. Mr. Sullivan also pointed out that possible alterations and extensions to the railway yards were contemplated, and that an overbridge would conflict with these schemes. Likewise, a subway would require too great an outlay. The council decided to make further representations to the Minister, and also to point out that he had not made any reference to the representations which had been made regarding the removal of the engine shed.