THE TRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1922, Page 5

THE TRAMS.

EXTENSION TO WESTOWN. REPORT ON SUGGESTED ROUTES. ENGINEER FAVORS MORLEY STREET. A report on the subject of the proposed extension of the tramways to Westown was submitted to the Borough Council last night by the tramways engineer (Mr. R. H. Bartley). Mr. Bartley stated that in order to reduce the preliminary work attached to the extensions, he submitted a preliminary report dealing with the route to Westown, remarking that if this route could be decided on it would save a lot of work in taking out quantities and framing estimates. The report proceeded:— “I have traversed both of the suggested routes on several occasions during last month and this, and 1 have come to the conclusion that the advantages possessed by the Cutfield Road route are not as great as those of the Morley Street route, from a tramways point of view, and the engineering difficulties are considerable as compared with Morley Street. The Cutfield Road route possesses the advantage of more closely serving approximately 12 chains of Devon Street West, which is thickly populated, and also brings the whole of the area in this vicinity, which is considerable, within reach of the service. This area is already closely built on, and will no doubt be very much more so in the near future. In the event of further extensions being made to the suggested one, with a view to relieving the main St. Aubyn Street route, the Cutfield Road route is in the right direction. This route also obviates the necessity of purchasing land at the corner of Morley Street and Wallace Place, and on the Tukapa Road (Pt. V. F.R.j, although I am not quite certain that this latter part will ;be necessary, unless, of course, the I council desire it to make a footpath. CUTFIfcLD ROAD OBSTACLES. “When one goes closely into this route, however, many obstacles reveal themselves. The grade is much more severe than that of Morley Street, although it is an even one. The road is I too narrow to allow for tramways and ordinary wheel traffic. To widen the road means tremendous expense in cutting away high banks on each side of the road, and when widened high banks would still remain, which are always a source of danger to tramways. To widen the Devon Street end of Cutfield Road near Mr. Curtis’ property would require a retaining wall to be erected at least 20 feet high and approximately 2% chains long, or else purchase a strip of Mr. Curtis’ land, which already con ! tains many buildings. It is also ques tionablc as to whether it would not oe very difficult in cutting back the banks to arrange for the necessary batter for , cutting, with the adjacent property owners. Without going further I think the council will agree that the disadvantages of this rsute considerably outweigh the advantages, and as compared with Morley Street it can hardly be considered. The Morley Street route has the advantage of a small population in Morley Street itself, but is nearer for hospital traffic. The grade j is a moderate one and the road width ' is ample. “The difficulties from an engineering 1 point of view on this route are small. The bank on the west side, about halfway up the hill, requires, to be cut back slightly and the drainage of the street altered to suit to allow the tramway track to run straight, and a footpath will require to be formed at the foot of this bank. Higher up, at the corner.of Barrett Street, the bank again 1 encroaches on the footpath, but need i not be interfered with, unless, of course, ! the council desire a wider footpath than ; exists at prseent. The grades will require to be evened out, but these have i already been planned. To allow’ a safe : turn into Wallace Place it will be ne- ; cessary to purchase a triangular portion of section 573, situated on the corner of Morley Street and Wallace s Place. There is also the question as | to whether it is desired to make a 1 footpath along the side of Pt. V. E.R. Tukapa Road, and if so to arrange for this piece of land. THE ESTIMATES SOON. “The remainder of the route right up to David Street is all perfectly straight forward, and presents no difficulties. I 1 do not thunk, from the foregoing, that the council will find much difficulty in deciding on this route, and this being i done I have practically al) the information in (this office that- wall enable me to make up the estimate accurately. 1 can proceed with tliis almost at once, and at the same time submit a similar preliminary report regarding the roufte to Vogeltown.” The report was deferred for a week, as the v. estown Progressive Association had put the matter in .the hands of Cr. Blackball, who wa<s abrieut from the council meeting last night.