Law halts access

Press, 10 April 1979, Page 1

Law halts access

A law dating from the last century is preventing the North Canterbury Hospital Board from providing a permanent bridge-and-road access to the new, stage-one ward block at Christchurch Hospital. The board plans access for Fire Service vehicles, ambulances, and some essential service vehicles along the north frontage of the block, but it has found that it is bound by the provisions of the Christchurch Hospital Act, 1887.

Under this act, the land between the buildings and the Avon River is vested in trust for a kitchen garden, pleasure gardens, and recreational ground for hospital patients. The wording of the deed excludes the erection, of "any construction” and, although there has been a divergence of opinion as to whether the road is in this category, the board has decided to take steps

to ensure the road’s validity.

With the agreement of the Christchurch City Council, which is the controlling body for the trust land, a special local bill will be presented to Parliament this year to amend the original act and give the board the right to install the road. A temporary road and bridge were constructed to facilitate the building of the new block, and the use of these has shown the advantages of access to the north of the site by Fire Service vehicles. By travelling along Kilmore Street and Rolleston Avenue, fire engines could get to the building in half the time it would take to travel along Barbadoes Street and Tuam Street into Riccarton Avenue. Access to the north of the building is difficult from Riccarton Avenue and, by using the northern access, full use can be

made of the ring main and other fire-fighting facilities, including the fireindicator panel for the six-floor ward block.

In seeking to legalise the road, the board is. not contemplating any further constructions on the trust land beyond the present building line, and the proposed amending bill specifically precludes this. Only land required immediately to provide for the bridge and roadway will be involved. The proposed new bridge will be strictly controlled, probably by a manned post, and only authorised vehicles will gain access. The public will not have vehicle thoroughfare to Riccarton Avenue through the hospital grounds.

The member of Parliament for Wigram (Mr M. A. Connelly) has agreed to sponsor the bill, and he will be supported by the member for Fendalton (Mr E. S. F. Holland).