EAST COAST ROUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 17

EAST COAST ROUTE

ROAD THROUGH BAYS ALTERNATIVE FAVOURED SEALING MAIN HIGHWAY SUPPORT OF COUNTY COUNCIL The difficulties which would have to be overcome before a sealed road through Auckland's East Coast bays from Milford Beach to Long Bay was an established tact were the. subject ol' a report prop"rod for the >\aitemata County Council by its engineer, Mr. R. M. Pagt*. The council has decided, after considering the report, to scrap its existing loan proposals to modernise Beach Road, and has decided to support Mr. Page's scheme for the sealing of the East Coast Road. The first difficulty set out by the engineer in his report on the Beach Road reconstruction proposal was that of arranging the necessary finance. Marked Rise in Costs It would appear that in spite of | written promises from various Ministers there was no possibility of sufficient money being made available to I warrant the commencement of the ' work, the report stated. It pointed out that the longer negotiations were delayed the less chance there was of any work being done this season. ' Although the estimated cost of the complete proposal to modernise Beach Road totalled £4B,(MX), continued the report, so much time had elapsed since the preparation of the estimate that this amount would now not be adequate. The increase on earthworks alone was £2250. "A Long and Costly Matter" The third difficulty in connection with the Beach Road proposal was that there were so many deviations into private property along the route that a legislation survey would be required. Together with the plans and legal work involved this would be a long and costly matter. No provision was made in the loan for financing such a survey, and the cost would therefore have to be borne by the riding revenue account, which was already strained to the utmost. "In view of these facts [ would suggest that the council seriously considers, even at this late stage, an alternative proposal, that of reconstructing; the East Coast Road to modern standards and providing 'feeder' roads to the various bays," stated Mr. Page. "These 'feeder' roads are already in existence and would not require a great amount of expenditure to put them in reasonable order." The Alternative Scheme Several reasons why the East Coast Road might be better than Beach Road were advanced in Mr. Page's report. The East Coast Road could be modernised at far less expense than Beach Road and would allow infinitely better alignment. There would be comparatively little interference with private property. There was very little close settlement on the East Coast Road, continued the report, and it was therefore more adaptable to fast-moving traffic. It was also central and would serve the rural portion of the Takapuna riding as well as the coastal areas. It is now proposed to hold public meetings in the Takapuna riding to discuss the entire question with ratepayers and ascertain their views on the matter.