TOOK A RISK

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 2, 24 March 1927, Page 9

TOOK A RISK

AND MET TROUBLE SOUTH ROAD PRACTICALLY BLOCKED

MOTORISTS UNFORGIVEABLE ACTION

An impossible position has arisen on the Alain South Road as the result of proper provision not having been made to deal with the heavy traffic on the road, while the surface was concreted, in the vicinity of Alanurewa. The Highways Board’s engineer insisted on the road being re-formed, and a full width of clay filling being laid, the usual method of laying one side of the road at a time having to be abandoned. A risk was taken by laying a foundation of clay, and relyjng on fine weather. Wet weather ensued, and the road became a bog. A deviation through private property, along the old railway line south of Alanurewa, was then opened, after the Town Board had gone to consideraole trouble, and the question of finance cropped up immediately. The only money available was £SOO, granted by the Highways Board, supposed to cover reconditioning of the side roads used as deviations to 15 miles of main road construction. This proving inadequate the Alanurewa Town Board took the only way it could see out of the difficulty, and placed a toll on users of the deviation, a lorry having gone through a portion of the old railway track, resulting in the possibility of the rood becoming impassable, if not immediately attended to. Even at this time of the year 300 to 500 vehicles daily, use it. No alternative to metalling the present deviation appears to be available, the three other routes on the road plan being impossible for one reason or another. Abolish Tolls. The toll system has been abolished all over New Zealand, and the organised motorists want this road without having to pay the toll, small though it may be. The objection is on the grounds of principle, and directed against a system that allows such a thing to happen. A large sum of money is required to meet the position, and a Government grant is regarded as the proper solution. It is realised that the Alanurewa Town Board has done its best, but the task is beyond it. The Roads Committee of the Auckland Automobile Association will meet to-morrow morning 1 -> decide on the action to be taken, as the main road cannot be available for use for at least eight weeks. U nforgiveable Actions.

Another point has arisen in connection with the new concreting. It is considered unwise to use new concrete paying within 28 days of laying, and the engineers have usually erected flimsy barriers, which have been respected by motorists. On the South Road, however, there has been gross abuse by a few motorists. On several occasions cars were driven on to green concrete, and the barriers were then strengthened, posts being driven and planks bolted across. Motorists have now adopted the extraordinary measure of removing the' bolts and the

“No one can support these people,” remarked Air. Champtaloup, service officer of the Auckland Automobile Association, this morning. “The borough and county ratepayers have provided the major cost of the work,- yet there are some people who, to avoid a temporary inconvenience, risk the destruction of thousands of pounds worth of high class roading. It is absolutely unforgiveable. The action of the few is making it.hard for other motorists, and putting them in bad adour with the local authorities. Who are forced Lo put on further restrictions. They cannot now even trust the motorists to run on the tracks, alongside the new concrete, until it sets. The result will be longer use of deviations. This sort of thing is an instance of the unrealised difficulties that face those responsible for the roads.” Whether the foundations have been disturbed, and the roads will break up, now remains for time to show. In the meantime, the A.A.A. is co-operating with the local bodies with the object of making an example of any offender caught. Further Roading Opened. To-day a further area of the Manukau County’s share qf the road at Papatoetoe was opened, the deviation sign posted by the A.A.A. on the old route being now unnecessary. A short distance indicated on the road between Papatoetoe and the Puhinui road junction will require a deviation as the concrete is still green. This stretch, a mile in length, will be open within a month. From this point south the county has constructed a gravel road along the side of the concrete for aquarter of a mile, and this will hold traffic for one month until the concrete is thrown open, oncrete is then used to Alanurewa Town Board boundary, with the exception of Wlri bridge section, where further works is held up pending fine weather setting the foundation. A metal road is provided along the side. The A.A.A. deviation mapped out early in the week between Papatoetoe and Wiri is no longer necessary. Several heavy lorries have, however, been using this by-road which is classified as not fit for heavy traffic. Any vehicle weighing over 4 tons, including load, on the Redoubt Road in future will be liable to a prosecution.