ROADING COSTS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6284, 18 September 1946, Page 7

ROADING COSTS

EFFECT OF DIVERTED HEAVY TRAFFIC SERIOUS POSITION DEVELOPING The vexed problem of maintaining transport over the period of coal shortage was discussed at the meeting bn Monday of the Waipa County Council. The necessity of maintaining supply and primary production on the one hand was off-set with the serious roading difficulties on the other.

The question arose out of a report by the engineer on works expenditure in the several ridings up to 16th August last. The inclusive maintenance of riding roads, main roads, and bridge upkeep over the period was £9317, compared with the budgetary estimate for the period of £9177. This, as the engineer explained, indicated that the expenditure was right up to and in some cases in excess of the estimates.

Cr Onion remarked that the past weather conditions had proved the warning given by the engineer some time ago. Particularly on sand roads the formation had been heavily tested, and in addition the cartage of fertiliser by road instead of on the railways had added to the road wear. Indications were that greater expenditure would have to be faced to restore the roads to a standard condition.

The chairman remarked that there was, also, not a sufficient inspection of heavy traffic. Cr Church added that lime cartage was also a condition causing much road wear. Loading limits were being greatly exceeded. The chairman; A carrier had the cheek to deliver a five-ton load to my farm. If Mr Metcalfe had been on the job that sort of thing would not have happened. Cr Onion inquired whether arrangements could be made to secure metal for the northern part of the county from deposits which were in, that vicinity but in another county. Cr Hall added that metal could be had in the Rangiaohia riding, but quarry difficulties had arisen. The engineer questioned whether the opening of another quarry would be justified. As to the northern end of the county, the ridings would have to turn into the Raglan county, and questions of finance would arise. The Council might be able to use sand for the development of those roads, as methods were tending toward a lesser use of metal and a better use of local materials, with cement plus bitumen being used as a binder. Some imported metals would be required, and even a higher grade of rfletal might have to be found; but the use of local materials should not be discounted.

Cr Onion urged the need to investigate the methods of getting a higher road standard. He moved that the engineer be empowered to make inquiries so as to advise the best possible utilisation of materials that could be economically made available.—This was agreed to. It was remarked that the roads of the county had been classified, and there should be enforcement to see that loadings were kept within reasonable limits. Some of the carriers were known to be overloading. “ What will the effect be on cartage charges ? ” asked a councillor. It was thought that the schedule of charges was based upon the observance of the loading conventions. In the discussion -the question of heavy loads of commodities diverted from rail was discussed. Loads of up to 14 tons were mentioned. This, it was agreed, might pass on main sealed roads, but the secondary roads were pounded to pieces when such loads were diverted from, the main highways. Cr Church added that transport lorries were going to station depots and working from there.

Cr Onion said the roads were not made in anticipation that such heavy loads would be carried. The railways were built to carry heavy traffic, and country ratepayers were being made to pay the cost of the break-down of the railway services. It was not enough to say there was no coal: the fact remained that the roads were being smashed. Cr Church agreed in principle with the last speaker, but the fact remained that the country must have fertiliser. If the coal supply failed, the railways suffered; but fertiliser must be carried, and the question of greatest need must be recognised. Cr Alexander thought little might be gained by calling the attention of the Government to the position, but something should be said and done. It was remarked that heavy loading affected not only fertiliser but all produce consignments. Wool was mentioned as having been diverted from rail to road. Cr Germann considered it a question also of respecting the road classifications, with purely local delivery cartage.

Cr Onion moved that the Minister of Railways be advised that diversion of heavy traffic from rail to road was having a most serious effect on country roads. , Cr Alexander supported such representations. The trend to-day was for more and more traffic to pass to the roads and less and less to be carried by rail. Cr Harding suggested that one solution would be more use of the depot system, enabling the distance to be concluded to the point which more systematic I local delivery could be undertaken. Cr Germann moved that the Council adhere to the roading classification. That should not affect cartage costs, as it could be assumed that the tariffs were based on proper loadings. In any case petrol charges had been lowered, and that had not been adjusted against the carriers’ charges. To a question the engineer explained the roading classifications and the loading conventions, which were, in some regards, contradictory. It raised the question whether slight excess loading did more road damage than doubling the number of trips. Speed and class of tyre also

had a big bearing on the general question. To a further question the engineer said all roads in the country excepting main highways were classified as class four roads. Cr Alexander asked whether that i assumed that sand and metal roads > were similarly classified. It did nbt: appear logical to apply a general and sweeping restriction without proper regard to the nature of road formation. To a further question the engineer stressed the importance of speed; the use and effect of trailer axles, moreover, varied in the result. Another factor was the nature of the traffic i and the distribution of the load. Cr Cunningham seconded the mo- j tion that the classifications be enforced. Cr Germann said the discussion had shown the anomalies in the classification. It suggested a need to review the whole question of having the roads properly classified. But in principle there should be a basis and a method for proper enforcement. After some further discussion it was resolved that the engineer bring down a report on the whole question at next meeting.