CROWN RANGE ROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27025, 9 March 1949, Page 6

CROWN RANGE ROAD

DANGER OF CARAVANS TO OTHER TRAFFIC A suggestion that the authorities be approached with a view to prohibiting caravans on the road over the Crown Range was made in a report from service officers presented at a meeting of the Automobile Association Otago last night. It was stated that many motorists who had taken caravans over the Crown Range during the Christmas holidays had experienced great difficulty in negotiating the road. There had been various types of breakdowns, and motorists had had to call 4 on Wanaka or Cromwell for a breakdown truck/ As the road is steep and narrow there had been a great deal of difficulty getting a breakdown truck in a position to tow, and for long periods the road was blocked. It was pointed out that the association had signs at either end of the road warning motorists that the road was unsuitable for caravans. There were more caravans on the road now and unless they were kept off the Crown Range road someone would get killed, said the president Mr G. W. Ferens. He had heard of four cases from motorists where there had been breakdowns on the road. Mr D. Forsyth suggested that the Signs Committee should erect a new sign with stronger wording and show the alternative route through Cromwell. The association would then have done everything in, its power to prevent accidents. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Signs Committee.