HUTT RIVER EROSION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 186, 3 May 1940, Page 10

HUTT RIVER EROSION

Railway Protection Works

GROYNES CONSTRUCTED

Considerable protective work has been carried out by the Railways Depirrtment at a point just above Moiling, on the line to Upper Hutt and the Wairarapa, where erosion litis taken place through the Hutt River scouring the western bank. Within recent mouths a great deal of work has been trccomplisbed, and since the trouble first, occurred the permanent way has been shifted at least half u chain from Us original alignment. When inquiries as to Hie nature. of Ihis work wore made at the bead office of the department yesterday, it was stated that groynes had been built to protect the bank. Had these groynes not been put in, said an otlieial, it was probable Hurt the Wairarapa line might have been closed to traffic. All the protective work, including the moving of the track, was curried out without causing serious delay to trains. It was explained that the Hutt was a fast-flowing river which formed shingle banks. These banks had the effect, of (lellecting the How from side to side, causing erosion at various points. Above Melting the river took a swing in Io tlie eastern bank, near the. Hutt Golf Club’s properly, and came round with a big curve, striking tlie western bank, Tlie river then had to make a right-angle turn ami started eroding the railway batik. For tt time (be department was able to keep the river in check with willow work, but a heavy Hood came clown, breached the willows and started rapidly washing away the ground supporting the railroad. The line had to be moved nearer the Hutt Road, and to keep the track open for tratlic, blocks of concrete were placed iu the river to stop the erosion.

When the Hood waters receded a groyne consisting of piles and rails was built to throw the river oft the bank. The river continued to erode on the eastern bank, opposite the railway, till the main stream was striking the railway bank below tlie original groyne. Expecting further serious damage in times of Hood, the department, consequently built three 'smaller groynes further down stream.

"These, so far,” said an otlieial, “have had the effect of protecting the bank. With a river such as the Hutt, erosion of banks is constantly occurring at some iioitit or other, and the department must protect its line wherever such erosion threatens. It is quite possible that in the next flood the river will leave the railway side altogether and start eroding at some entirely different point.” The department, worked in full harmony with the Hutt River Board and was responsible for maintaining the bank adjoining its line. 'The river board was responsible for hanks adjoining the property of ratepayers, but it was Hie policy of the department to do nothing that would jeopardize other works, said the official.