TRAFFIC TESTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 68, 30 April 1943, Page 5

TRAFFIC TESTS

EDGECUMBE RIVER BRIDGE

ECHO OF RECENT COMPLAINTS

The result of the recent action of the Edgecumbc School Committee in drawing attention to the dangerous nature, of the Edgecumbc River Bridge was the receipt of. a letter lrom the district engineer P-W.D. by the Whakatane Countv Council.

The letter advised that Overseer McDonald met those interested at the bridge site 011 Lhe <Sth instant. Tlie writer stated that to the. heat 01 his knowledge, liis was lie iirst occasion on which this bridge has been regarded as especially dangerous to school children, and it was understood that the suggestions made by Mr McDonald would be followed. out and that the Scnoolmas-i ter be requested to instruct children in the proper way to cross the bridge, warning them against loitering, and also that the A.A. Patrol be : asked to lecture the children. With the knowledge that the traffic using the highways at the present time was far less than what it would, be under normal conditions* a traffic tally was taken on the bridge, on the 7tli April,, with the following results: — Between 7.45 a.m. and !) a.m.— 21 vehicles used this structure and 20 pedestrian children. Between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. (when the children would be on their way home) 28 vehicles used this structure and only 10 pedestrian children. Just prior to the Avar a new site was surveyed for a bridge at Edge-, cumbe and naturally provision for a pedestrian crossing would be made as the area adjoining was closely settled. The Department was unable to state when funds will lie available for a new structure, but it was assured that the reconstruction of this bridge will be well up on the priority list when things return, to normal.

The. council decided that a copy of the District Engineer's letter be forward exl to the Edgecnmbe School Committee.