Elevated Roadway At Port Not High Priority

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28266, 2 May 1957, Page 8

Elevated Roadway At Port Not High Priority

The elevated roadway from Norwich quay to the steamer express wharf at Lyttelton is not a high priority work. This information was given when questions were asked of the chairman (Mr W. P. Glue) at yesterday’s meeting of the Harbour Board.

The first question came from Mr L. G. Amos. Mr Glue said plans were being drawn by the engineers. The board had authority to raise a loan but since then nothing further had been done. The work was not of high priority. In the drawing stage, the biggest job was to get rid of the buildings of the Union Steam Ship Company and the Customs Department, said the engineer-in-chief (Mr J. A. Cashin). Negotiations were in progress to that end.

“I am surprised to hear it is not an urgent matter,” said Mr Amos. “Now we find the roadway is just at the planning stage. It is pretty slow progress. If that js how the wheels of industry in harbour matters are working, it is time we jacked it up a bit.

“Where do we stand in priorities?” he asked. “Is the extension of jetties the highest? If I was told, I would not be on my feet so much.” The chairman: It is a pity you did not take a seat on the works committee, as I invited you to do. Mr Amos: I was not. The chairman: You said you were not interested.

“I move that the meeting now adjourn for the caucus to be carried on,” interposed Mr G. Manning, a Labour member. “It was done in open meeting,”

Mr Glue replied to Mr Amos. The elevated road had been proposed for some time. The main job of the board’s engineer was to get the harbour extension begun. The biggest trouble with the roadway was with the Union Company’s building. If plans were ready and tenders called tomorrow, the board could do nothing because of that building. “The elevated road has not been forgotten,” said Mr Glue. “It has been discussed dozens and dozens of times. I don’t want the public to get the idea that these things are pigeon-holed and forgotten. Every member of the board is aware, as much as I am, that the bridge will go ahead when we can go ahead; but we don’t want to hold up the mole.” Staff Shortage

Mr A. A. Macfarlane said the major job was going on for the next seven years. Would the engineer need more staff to get on with all the work?

“We are definitely short of staff,” replied Mr Cashin. “If anybody can get us some good engineers, that will expedite the work in general.”

The opinion that the construction of the elevated roadway should be delayed and that the board should concentrate on the new harbour works was expressed by Mr J. Brand. From his observations and experience, he knew of no accidents when crossing the railway line and of very small hold-ups.

“If we waste time putting up overhead bridges and that sort of thing, we are not increasing the berthage or efficiency of the port,” said Mr Brand. “With the increasing trade of the port, we will be in bother unless we get the major scheme done.” A man had lost a boat in an accident at the crossing, said Mr F. I. Sutton. The hold-ups were “terrific.” The crossing was one of the most dangerous in New Zealand, said Mr W. B. Laing. There were many hold-ups and he had waited in his car 20 minutes to get across.