LAND TAKEN FOR LINE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 12

LAND TAKEN FOR LINE

Council Meets Minister

Land to a total of 585 acres had been acquired by the Railways Department for the Sockburn-Styx loop railway line, and in consequence, the land, zoned industrial, couid not be developed, a sub-com-mittee of the Paparua County Council told the Minister of Railways (Mr McAlpine) recently. In a report to a council meeting last night, the committee said that the Minister had said that he, personally, did not think the railway was warranted at present. He favoured as an alternative either a line variation at Addington to permit a bypass for rail traffic, or a new loop to the north and west of Christchurch Airport, rejoining the main line near Weedons. This would make poorer-quality land available for industry. Mr McAlpine said that an early decision could not be expected in view of changing trends, such as the Cook Strait roll-on roll-off service. The department was unlikely to dispose of its land until a definite decision was reached. If the council wrote to the department asking for a review, and an investigation of the Hornby-Lincoln line as an alternative, the question could well be reopened, Mr McAlpine suggested. “We will give this more consideration and bring down proposals,” said Cr. H. W. Bennett. “A meeting with Waimairi County, which is also affected, would be an advantage.”