TRAMS AND TROTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 244, 15 October 1929, Page 7

TRAMS AND TROTS.

RACE DAY CONGESTION. LOOP Z.TNB SUGGESTED. : CONSIDERATION4n" FUTURE. "There is considerable congestion and holding up of traffic on race days., to. "the great inconvenience "of, passengers other than racegoers." This statement was made in a letter received by the Auckland- Transport Board this morning from the One Tree Hill Road BoaTd, as the' result of a statement'made at a recent meeting of the Transport Board, that "no inconvenience to travellers on the Manukau Road line was experienced on the occasion of race days at Alexandra Park." The letter went on. to express the views of the One Tree Hill Board to .the effect that it was hoped that the Transport Board would take steps to overcome the trouble. The following suggestions were made:—(l) That a loop line be constructed in Green Lane Road West, of sufficient length-to hold .the number of cars involved, or (2) That single track tram line with necessary loops be constructed through Green Lane Road West-to join up the Manukau Road line with the Great South Road line. ? The chairman (Mr. J. A. C. Allumj said that the board had no authority at the moment to carry oilt the proposed work. The matter would be 'considered' when the next loan proposals were put forward. Mr. F. S. Morton complained that the blockage of traffic on the road interfered with "Onehunga passengers. The cars were not housed in the tramway shed nearby. He had known people to wait as long as an hour. A tally would be taken at the next meeting ,by a responsible official in order that tha statements that had been made might be verified. ... •• Mr. A. J. Entrican did not see the sense,, of making- a loop if there was sufficient space in the tramway sheds to house the"cars on the days when racing was held at the park. • - Mr. E. J. Phelan, while agreeing that inconvenience Avas "inevitable, sympathised with those who were not able to get on trams for their various destinations, during the period of the '•holdup." He suggested that residents holding concession, tickets should be allowed to travel by the race cars provided the tickets were endorsed, say, by the'local ticket-selling agent. Mr. A. E. Ford (manager) said -the crowd was "cleared up" in about 40 minutes. The cars had to be; taken out of the shed and shunted. Congestion was minimised as far as possible. 'A special service was put.on.for outwardbound passengers. Many more cars ran to Onehunga on race days than at other times. If there was some delay for inward passengers, it had to he remembered that it was. at. a time-when very few were travelling through. . If there was a line to stand the cars on, it would certainly be an advantage. . Green Lane, was not an ideal place. It rwas' on the wrong side of the route. The board will reply that''the question -will be considered .when next' loan? proposals are before t)ie board.