Council concern over roadworks

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 38, 4 March 1986, Page 1

Council concern over roadworks

The condition of State Highway 49 just before it enters Raetihi concerned Raetihi Borough Councillors at their meeting last week. Major rec'onstruction by Ministry of Works contractor, Hurlstones Ltd, made the road almost impassable at times.

Cr John Compton said that mothers and children with pushchairs were having difficulty getting into the marae for Te Kohanga Reo because of the mud and the cut made at the base of the marae driveway. Cr Andrew Cornwall said that he had seen elderly people and children trying to walk through it and it was both dangerous and unpleasant. "We are not grizzling — we are expressing our concern at the problem and trying to do something about it," he said.

Cr Ken Summerhays said it was in the lap of the gods that wet weather would have worsened the road's condition. "We need to remember it will be better afterwards — there will be a proper concrete footpath as well," he said. Cr Tom Punch said that the contractor did not know that there were springs one metre under the hill and any extra work caused was not allowed for in the contract. It was resolved to discuss the problem with the Ministry of Works and Development.