BETTER ROADS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18905, 21 January 1927, Page 6

BETTER ROADS.

A DEMONSTRATION STRIP. GRAVEL AND BITUMEN ( FORMATION. A trial strip of road, reconstructed with local gravel and topped with an asphaltio carpet of sand and bitumen, which was laid down by British Pavements, Ltd , last week at Craddock's corner, Marshland road, should prove of much interest to motorists and members of local bodies, who are concerned With thd question of better roads. ■ Hie object of the strip, which has an area, of 400 square yards, is to demonstrate that local, unbroken gravel can be used successfully, and that this class of reconstruction can be done at a cost of between £3500 and £4OOO per mile. The locality selected should provide a good test of this method of reconstruction for traffic from the City, from Shirley road, from New Brighton, and from Marshland converge at Craddock's corner. The strip haß been laid on the Marshland road practically for the full Width. The thickness of the reconstruction is from 2 inches to 21 inches, which includes the asphaltic carpet, ranging from one-eighth to onequarter inch in thickness. Except for the purpose of levelling, where necessary, the highway surface has not been disturbed; in other words, the foundation of the existing roadway has not been interfered with. For the bottom course local gravel, round and unbroken, and 20 per cent of screenings have been used. The asphaltic carpet haß filled the intercices of the gravel and has provided a good, clean surface. The strip was laid in one day, the asphaltic carpet. being laid down hot. When a representative of The Press saw this demonstration strip a day or two ago, it had only had three or four days' testing by the traffic, hut its condition conveyed the impression that it was standing up well. Mr A. Donald Paterson, of British Pavements, Ltd., stated that the strip is similar to the reconstructed portion, of Riccarton rond. done by British Pavements for }he Paparua County Council, the principal difference being the use of local, unbroken gravel. When a rattle is heard, especially under the car, investigate it. It may be a part coming loose which will disable the car or cause an accidont. Neglect is both dangerous and ex- | pensive.