ROAD TO WAITARA

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1935, Page 14

ROAD TO WAITARA

EFFECTS OF DEVIATIONS. SECONDARY ROADS SUFFER. Travellers by road from New Plymouth to Waitara are afforded ample evidence that damage other than that caused by the immediate action of flood waters will have to be made good by local authorities before the effects of February’s flood will have been overcome. Because of the scouring at the Waiongona bridge on the New PlymouthWaitara Road traffic has been diverted through Lepperton and the Richmond Road. The latter road is unsealed and is showing signs of the wear and tear of more continuous traffic than it was expected to carry. Although efforts are being made to keep the blinding on the centre, the surface of the road is becoming very rough, and there is every chance of a heavy bill for repairs if it is to be put back into a proper state of mainIt has* been alleged that there has been dilatoriness on the part of the Taranaki County Council or the Main Highways Board, or both, in regard to the repairs to the Waiongona bridge. On inquiry, however, it was stated by the authorities that this work has been given the earliest possible attention. The nature of the damage necessitated putting in an extra span to the bridge, and to do this entailed timber of a certain size and length which it was not possible to obtain from stock. A special order had to be given and the timber is now at the bridge. Repair work is proceeding as rapidly as circumstances will permit, and, given reasonable weather, the bridge should be open for traffic again within a few days time. Complaints have also been, made tnax there has been undue delay in repairing the damage on the New Plymouth-Ingle-wood Road near Lake Mangamahoe. After inspection by the Highways Board and County Council engineers it was decided that to let a contract would be the most satisfactory method of getting the work done with despatch, as the council’s own staff and plant would be kept busy with repairs required in other districts. The contract has been let, but it is anticipated that it will be three or four weeks before it can be completed and the road re-opened for traffic. Another work of importance on the Main North Highway is the repair of the Waitara town bridge, which suffered severely in the flood. A diver reached Waitara yesterday and will begin his investigations of the damage done below water to-day. As soon as this is known a report will be framed for consideration by the Public Works Department.