SPA ROAD DIVERSION NEAR MAIN STREET

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 142, 15 October 1954, Page 1

SPA ROAD DIVERSION NEAR MAIN STREET

CURVES TOO SHARP ' The Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, October 6, discussed the diversion of the Spa State Highway recently constructed by the Ministry of yVorks, in accordance with the Borough's Town Plan. The portion of the Spa Road between the Nukuhau Street intersection and Tongariro Street (the "Main Street") was recently closed, and the Spa Road diverted, opposite the intersection mentioned, into Paora Hape Street. The diversion is aimed to reduce the streets meeting at the north end of Tongariro Street, and also to slow down traffic approaching Tongariro Street from the Spa Highway. A letter from Mr J. W. Birnie, chairman of the Ratepayers' Association, which was before the Council, stated that the deviation was unsafe, both ends * being too sharp and the new portion of road not w'ide enough. Logging trucks proceeding to mills via the Spa Road were finding difficulty in getting round the bends, having to go right onto the incorrect side of the road to get their trailers round. Cr J. M. Stanley said the deviation was too narrow at present and the bends too sharp. The idea of the deviation, however, was a good one.

Cr C. J. Vedder stated he had inspected the work, and agreed that a slight alteration in the curves was needed to eliminate the sharpness of the bends. Cr K. E. Young believed the slowing down of the traffic was a good idea but the road was at present too narrow and corners too sharp. Cr C. S. Currie said the breaking down of traffic speed'at the locality discussed was in line with similar work done elsewhere, as in the Auckland area. The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, said that he would take up with the Ministry of Works the matter of improving the bends and width of the deviation. He mentioned that it would also be necessary to widen Paora Hape Street to its full width in the area concerned.