TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 150, 28 June 1927, Page 9

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.

PARKING PLACE DIFFICULTY

HOW ENGLAND SOLVES IT.

BIG LOSSES ON TRAMS

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, this day.

Mr. Len. McKenzie, a former member of the Wellington City Council, who is now in England, has written interesting notes on traffic problems and attempts upon their solution in the Old Country.

He mentions that much anxiety is being caused to the London County Council by the financial position of their tramways, for during the year ended March 31, 1927, there was a loss of £302,114, and in regard to which the district auditor remarked that the future of the tramways must be regarded with some apprehension. During the last four years the losses on the tramway system amounted to £855,406, and a loss of £222,000 was expected during the current year. Last year's loss was equivalent to 1 2-3 d on the rates. "Unpayable for Years.'* "For years now," Mr. McKenzie writes, of England generally, "the trams have been an unpayable quantity, the losses being made up by extra rates. In some quarters they have done away with trams altogether, and in many large towns, about the size of Wellington, they have never allowed trams at all. "One-way traffic is the order of the day, and it is being introduced everywhere." The demand for car parks is increasing steadily, and is proving a very difficult problem, especially in many of the older towns, whose streets are ridiculously narrow. In one such town they have built special establishments in which cars must be parked; a small charge is made, and the scheme is proving very satisfactory financially. Elsewhere cars must be parked in back streets, and the authorities have arranged for caretakers at each parking

place. Tickets are issued at a small charge, but no one complains; on the other hand, the plan is welcomed. A time limit is placed on all such parks, and nowhere have I 6een parks where a car can be left indefinitely.

For Shoppers' Cars.

The influx of private cars to the cities and towns, together with the oneway traffic rules, has forced many of the larger firms to make special provision for shoppers' machines. Customers are issued a ticket" for these private parks, and when the machines are called for, the park caretaker and staff arrange that the car is available at the door named. Although the setting up of such parks was an expensive business, he had Keen told by a director of one of the larger concerns that the scheme, indirectly, paid handsomely.

Writing of car manufacture, Mr. McKenzie expresses the opinion that the system at Home of taxing cars £1 per horse-power—bringing in a very considerable amount for the building of splendid roads—had the effect of inducing the English manufacturer to produce a car not suitable for colonial requirements, with the exception of the more expensive makes.