TUNNEL FAVOURED

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1935, Page 8

TUNNEL FAVOURED

STRATHMORE ROAD PROPOSALS. OPINION OF COUNTY COUNCIL. A review of the negotiations in connection with the Strathmore tunnel over the last five years and of the various alternative routes proposed was placed before the Stratford County Council on Saturday in a letter from the Public Works Department district engineer, Mr. P. W. Keller. Mr. Keller stressed the advantages of the tunnel scheme as the most satisfactory of all so far put forward and urged the council to decide whether to keep that scheme constantly before it as its aim or to look about for still another before any further expense was undertaken. The council decided to support the tunnel scheme, while pointing out that the preliminary negotiations and offers of 1930 could riot be adhered to now.

“You will remember 4 that some years ago the question of constructing a tunnel deviation at the Strathmore saddle was considered,” stated Mr. Keller. “A resolution passed by the council on September 20, 1930, indicated that you were prepared to find £2OOO towards the cost of the work. The Main Highways Board at that time was not in a position to accept the offer and I have no information that will guide me regarding its present ability in this direction. However, there has been considerable discussion on this matter in the Press from time to time, and furthermore various interested parties have made their representations to me on the question of routes. I have informed my correspondents that the initiative regarding any further steps must rest with your council. “As I gather that some preliminary discussions have already taken place at your meetings l am enclosing a tracing of the roads which have a bearing on the various routes advocated.” The existing highway via Douglas and Strathmore saddle was shorter than any of its rivals by three quarters of a mile, he stated. If the tunnel was constructed the Sfrathmore route would be shorter 1| miles than its nearest competitor—a route following the present highway to the Puniwhakau Junction, thence up the Makuri swamp (still unformed) to Huiroa and via Kiore per Mohakau Road to Te Wera. The route from Douglas following the railway to Huiroa was 2£ miles longer than via Stratlimore, or 3J miles longer than the tunnel. Serious objections would be taken to this route owing to the number of railway crossings. To follow Toko Road from Tokp and thence via the Makuri swamp (still to be formed), would involve four miles more distance than the Strathmore tunnel. “Preliminary surveys to locate the best tunnel through the Strathmore ridge have already been completed sufficiently to enable the definite road line to be legalised if desired,” stated the letter. “I think you will agree, that before any further unnecessary expense is undertaken on the council’s section , of this highway it would be advisable to look some distance ahead and endeavour to work towards the ultimate object in view -—that is to say, whether the tunnel proposition is to be kept prominently in the foreground or whether some better proposition can be put up.” The department could build the tunnel on its own as far as he was concerned, said' Cr. J. L. Stanford, east riding. He would place no objection in the way of the scheme so long as the riding was was not called on to pay for it. It was after all largely a matter for tourists rather than for east riding ratepayers. That part of the question could probably be left until later, said Cr. Pitt. It was approval of the scheme in general that was most important at this stage. The council decided to reply definitely favouring the tunnel scheme, but pointing out that at the present time it coaid not see its way to subsidise the work as indicated at its meeting on September 20, 1930.