ROADSIDE FENCES

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1640, 12 May 1925, Page 5

ROADSIDE FENCES

A SENSIBLE SUGGESTION.

TO REDUCE LIABILITY OF

ACCIDENTS.

A suggestion that is bound to find almost universal favour among local bodies was one brought under the notice of the Waipa. County Council et Monday's meeting. Mr Eric Whitcombe, Pahiatua;: wrote suggesting that the maintenance of county roads would if property fences were allowed to be erected close up to the road-line where steep sidings exist. This would minimise the danger of accidents to drivers of vehicles. Mr Whitcombe's letter was as follows:

In view of the fact that the Wairarapa Automobile Association spent a lot of its funds in fencing parts of the Rimutaka Road on the edge of the formation as a safeguard for travellers, and that the Public Works Department is doing the same on the Paekakariki Hill, and that several narrowsidling roads between Palmerston N. and Wellington are fenced in the same way, and presumably for the same reason, I would suggest that landowners having frontages on the lower side of steep sidling roads be invited to put their fences on the edge of the formation, subject to the approval of the local body in charge of the road, the local body undertaking to respect such, fence when clearing the road'*of slips or rubbish and not to count it as an obstruction. And that it be mutually agreed that the erection of the fence in such position will not constitute an adverse possession of the land 'enclosed thereby. To provide for the erection of fences as above suggested, with security for the public, the local body, and the landowner, an amendment or addition to the Counties or the Local Bodies Act would be necessary; for it is advisable that such fences, erected with the approval of the local bodv, shall not be an obstruction in law; that the fencing in of part of the road shall not constitute possession in law; and that, for ordinary purposes other than the above, the fence shall be deemed the boundary. There can be no doubt that such fences make the roads safer for all kinds of vehicular traffic. As an instance in point a motor lorry, a few days ago, was saved from destruction, and tie driver from severe injury or death, by the wire fence on the Rimutaka Hill; and I believe all stock drivers agree that such fences make the roads safer and better for their use. In motoring round sharp bends, especially at night, such a fence shows clearly how sharp the bend is, and helps the driver to keep on the road. In places where there is much fern along the road it would pay the farmer to 'move his fence because his stock would then clear the fern and save the fence from being burned so frequently. For these reasons I think it would be a great advantage to the public if all hill-side roads, where the hill is appreciably steep, were fenced along the edge of the formation; and I think most farmers would move their fences to such positions when putting up new fences or renewing old ones, if properly protected in point of law." The chairman thought the idea a very sensible one, and moved that support be given. ' Cr Storey commented that its adoption would be of advantage to the landowner and to the local 4>ody. A member: Yes, and to all road users, too for it would make the roads

SclfGl*. Cr' Livingstone pointed out that it applied only where there were steep hill-sides. ; ~ The Council decided to support the suggestion of Mr Wthitcombe.