MAIN HIGHWAYS OF N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 23921, 13 September 1939, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS OF N.Z.

MANY IMPROVEMENTS DURING YEAR

PLANS FOR INCREASING ROAD SAFETY

Reference to the work done on the main highways of the Dominion during the past year is contained in the Public Works Statement which was presented to Parliament yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Sbmple). ’Die Minister mentioned the substantial improvements made to State highways, the investigation. of the problem of road safety and the consideration given to highway a lighting, expressing the hope that it'would soon be possible to begin the lighting installation on the two most heavily-used highways in New Zealand.

“During the past year there has been a continued increase in the growth of motor traffic as revealed by the greater number of vehicles licensed for operation and the record consumption of motor spirits,” stated the Minister. “The density of present-day traffic therefore requires that every effort be maintained in the direction of reconditioning the highways system to a standard in keeping with the needs of modern transport. Particularly does this apply to the State highways of the Dominion which carry a tremendous amount of arterial traffic. Very substantial improvements "have been made since the Government assumed direct control of State highways, and the public is benefiting considerably, both directly and indirectly. For example, the development of commercial transport has been possible only because of the excellent standard of the improved highways. Under such circumstances it is not possible at present to consider any curtailment in highway activities or expenditure.” 1 LACK OF FOOTPATHS Mr Semple said that in the course of investigating the problem of road safety it became- apparent that a common hazard affecting both motorist and pedestrian arose from the lack of footpaths, especially in closely-settled localities where vehicular traffic was heavy. The matter was discussed with the Main Highways Board, and as a result financial assistance was now given from highway funds towards the construction of footpaths where circumstances required. A condition of the subsidy was that the footpath proposals must include the provision of a paved surface, as otherwise the tendency would remain for pedestrians to prefer the paved highway to any loose-top footway. “The question of highway lighting was carefully considered by the New Zealand Road Safety Council, which came to the conclusion that it would be desirable to install some modern form of lighting on those portions of highway carrying a sustained average daily traffic of 2500 motor-vehicles or more. This recommendation was adopted, and the Main Highways Board, with the assistance of a technical advisory committee, has made extensive investigations into the various types of lighting which might prove suitable. It is hoped that in the near future . it will be possible to begin the lighting installation on the two most heavilytrafficked highways in the Dominion. ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN “There is evidence of practical results having keen achieved from the safety campaign concerning main highways,” continued the Minister. “While the ratio of accidents in urban areas has increased and in settlement areas has remained stationary, on main highways there has been a reduction of 18 per cent. This indicates that the general improvement of main highways has made a definite contribution towards road safety, and it is my earnest hope that still more favourable results will be obtained in the future.

“The annual report of the Main Highways Board discloses that the total receipts from revenue sources for the past financial year amounted to over £2,800,000, compared with £2,600,000 for the preceding year. With the exception of revenue from the tyre tax, which was some £9OOO less than in the previous year, the receipts from other taxation levied for highways purposes reached peak figures. “The total expenditure from the Main Highways Account for the last financial year on actual works, as distinct from loan and special charges, amounted to £4,369,000, compared with £3,392,000 in the previous year. Construction and improvement works, including the elimination of dangerous railway crossings, absorbed £2,878,000. maintenance involved an expenditure of £1,311,000, while £lBO,OOO was spent on the renewal of bridges. In addition, interest and loan charges amounted to £439,000 and general rate subsidies paid to local authorities totalled £209,000. Last year’s programme of works involved the borrowing of £2,675,600 for main highways’ activities.”