RURAL FOOTPATH CONSTRUCTION

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24905, 19 June 1946, Page 8

RURAL FOOTPATH CONSTRUCTION

INCREASED SUBSIDY SOUGHT

An increase in the Main Highways Board subsidy on footpath and kerbing construction along main highways in rural centres from £1 for £1 to £3 for £1 was sought by the No. 13 District Highways Council yesterday afternoon. The motion was presented by Mr D. S. Mackenzie (Waipara County Council), who said that in open areas the board accepted responsibility for the full width of the highway and so should include footpaths. Mr D. C. Macfarlane (Amur! County Council) said that he did not think motorists would consider the suggestion unreasonable, because they were so frequently troubled by pedestrians on the highways in rural areas. The chairman (Mr E. F. Evans) said he could not give positive information, but it was not correct that the width of road controlled by the Highways Board was the same throughout the country. In some towns the board took responsibility only to the kerb and in some open country for only 24 feet of a. wide road. Subsidies for footpaths and kerbing were not provided in the original Highways Act. He understood that provision was made when attention was directed to road safety, and to the need for protection of both motorists and pedestrians. Personally he felt that rural local bodies had a responsibility in the matter. When the Highways Board was experiencing such difficulty in stretching its funds to carry out necessary road work, he was not enthusiastic about suggesting an extra burden. Generalisations should not be made about the width of highways controlled as these were defined in each district.

The motion was carried unanimously, Mr Evans declining to record his vote.