TOWN PLAN LINK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 292, 10 December 1929, Page 7

TOWN PLAN LINK.

— o- ..—- HARBOUR BRIDGE KEY. RELATION TO STREET SYSTEMS. ARTERIAL LEADS VITAL. EVIDENCE AT COMMISSION. ; "A bridge is- necessary for the full development of the Auckland region. It would considerably advance residential development on the northern shores, and it would, to some extent, facilitate industrial development, but it is desirable from the economic aspect that development of this nature should .not take place before the available areas on the southern shores better served with public utilities are more fully utilised." This statement was made by Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, president of the Auckland Town Planning Association, in evidence at the Harbour Bridge Commission inquiry this morning. He added that a bridge would cause a considerable lowering of freight and transportation charges to the farming community. By providing an essential link in the arterial system the bridge would be of immense importance to the traffic routes of the northern districts, "But," said Mr. Holdsworth, "the requirements of the harbour are paromount to all others." Mr. Holdsworth explained that the statutory planning schemes on both sides of the harbour were not sufficiently advanced for the local authorities to determine definitely important aspects of their town plans. Without this information it was not desirable that such an important link in a revised street system should be decided without reference to oher own planning facors. Unless the significance of the bridge was studied in its relation to its feeding system of traffic routes, the definite fixing at this stage of the bridgehead, prior to the preparation of full civic surveys, would most likely impose an impossible burden on the Auckland City Council at least, in connection with the reconstruction of existing and the provision tor new traffic routes. This aspect became particularly pressing should a bridgehead be selected on the southern shores in the vicinity of the industrial and shipping areas of Freeman's Bay. Eliminating Congestion. The present street system on the southern shores, he said, had not been designed to cope with the traffic situation likely to arise with the erection of. a bridge, and unless adequate steps were taken by way of widening old routes and providing new ones, the congestion which existed at well-known points would be intensified and economic loss would devolop. The bridge was •an integral part of the regional plan, and should be considered in its relation to the street systems as a whole. It could not be con-' sidered in relation to the consequential costs of the reconstructed street system. Mr. Holdsworth said his association strongly urged that the work be under Government control, and that, in the allocation of cost, "betterment" should be made to apply. Land values would undoubtedly be enhanced on the southern side of the harbour and in the immediate vicinity of the bridge on the city shore. Properties materially benefited should bear some of the cost. As the construction of the bridge would almost certainly require legislative authority, the machinery for the collection of betterment on an equitable basis should be provided by legislation." If the commission made this recommendation in its finding, the expected orgy of speculation would be prevented, and the community would reap not less than half of the communitycreated increase in value. Compensation Involved. > "At this stage no one can say which is the best site for a * bridge," said Mr. E. V. Blake, chairman of the technical group of the Town Planning Association. He recommended a fvill analysis and complete civic survey, before a decision was made. It was necessary to find the best leads, not only through immediately contiguous areas but also in districts further out. Auckland had a heavy cost to • face in the effort to reduce steep grades out of the city and to provide new arterial routes. Schemes under consideration in the city west area should be determined in relation to the bridge, and Mr. Blake said compensation those • schemes involved would probably amount to £500,000. The Chairman (Mr. J. Marchbanks): 5 Perhaps more. t Mr. F. W. Furkert (member of comi mission): Yes, very considerably more. (Laughter.) Referring to the width of the bridge y Mr. Blake said 00ft should be regarded - as a minimum, and he preferred a bidge v of SOft. City Council's Opposition. Submitting the case for the Auckland City Council, Mr. J. Stanton, city solicis tor, said the council did not consider a s bridge would cause any appreciable increase in values or any great economic t advantage' to the city. Settlement on f the North Shore would be accelerated, , and that result must be to some extent ! at the expense of settlement on the city side. "The council is not hostile to the j bridge, but views it as a development j which should come at its proper time . and should not be forced," Mr. Stanton said. Mr. T. Bloodworth, chairman of the Town Planning Committee of the City Council, submitted a statement expressing the city's viewpoint. To the chairman Mr. Bloodworth said the principle of betterment should be applied to pay a part of the cost, but the council did not approve of the collection of revenue by toll. /> i "There is no need for a bridge to , facilitate the accommodation for city ; ratepayers in respect of housing for ; some years to come," stated Mr. J. Tyler, i acting city engineer. "If the bridge . were built the settlement on this side of the harbour would no doubt be somewhat retarded." J Room for Development. The total number of existing and potential building lots in the residential areas yet unbuilt on within the city area, in a radius of six miles from the city post office, was 30,712, Mr. Tyler added. The total additional population capable of being absorbed on undeveloped land was 164,525. Outside the six-mile radius there was an area of 770 acres in Tamaki and 720 acres in Avondale. Within a radius of. three miles e there were possible building lots capable of absorbing 17,455; in a four-mile I radius, 43,411; and in a five-mile radius, • 81,806. The ultimate population when L all land was fully developed within the ' six-mile radius was 206,800. (Proceeding.?