THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18919, 7 February 1927, Page 11

THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM.

| TO- IHK EDITOR OF TAB I'RC33. Sir, -In ail the large cities of to-day the teallic problem is assuming proportions which threaten to become overwhelming, unless the Lommunitv grapples with it in earnest and attempts are made to visualise intelligently what the future has in store. At present the question is only being shelved, with no clear evidence that the iiui: uu ul ihe I days to come are being anticipated. ; '1 lie root cause ul the uliole troiiuiu i.s i that ttic business world lius uuigruHti I its multibus ol organisation uuU is Ulov. iv cliouing ilsou, u"U as a eonsej tjuencc Hie nuulu comniunity sutlers. ! Jhe principle aim ot all business i houses is to attract customers, and mis I being so, it would bo mete loolisiineas to subject them to annoyance and discomfort. Where a display of goods in being made there should be a sufficient space, not on the public street, but where the public can see it in comfort and yet not interfere with the free movements of others, whether they aro pedestrian or vehicular. Our own city is fortunate in that the original planning was such that the blocks of buildings were square in design, so that by a carelul adjustment a further step in organisation could be gradually evolved. My proposal therefore is this: That the entire block should be surrounded by shops or offices, as at present, but in the case of shops, where a display of gooJs is being made, the window line should be set back, leaving a few feet of spate for the public to' look at the goods in comfort and without detriment to free movement in the streets. A few shops have adopted this principle, and it should lie made general and compulsory within a given period. This would surmount some of the difficulties of the pedestrian traffic. Now, in regard to tho vehicular traffic, tlin business houses have no right to Mock tho movements of the streets for their own private purposes, and a way should be sought whereby this could he obviated. My scheme js this: That b.v a gradual process with'n tho square block of shops an o[>en space .should be cleared, access to which would lie bv arches at the four corners or other suitable places, and all wheeled traffic having business with one of the firms should proceed to this inner area and there park the vehicle and transact their business. If the whole blo.ck was treated as an entire unit, and planned according to the necessities of the various business houses, the expense could be allotted and shared by all tho- firms or owners within tho area. Perhaps, as it concerns the public generally, a rate might be struck to cover the cost of subsidising the scheme, say a £1 for £l.

As this all ■would be benefiting the future generations it would be only fair that the outlay of expense should bo spread over a long period of years and so lessen the burden on the individual of to-day. Businesses that require a large space, such as garages, which extend through a section of an entire block, should be grouped, but that is probably one of the things that the Town-planning Boards have in view. Factories of any sine should not be within the central area at all. .

There aro plenty of difficulties to bo met with, but if the principle of a space within each block is carefully planned and adhered to, it would go far to solve many of our problems, and, further, it would eradicate much that is undesirable. It would possibly mean a removal of some business houses that could well bo spared from the centre of tho city and spread over a larger area within easy access of the centre, but in all, this principle faithfully carried out would ensure order and comfort for tho future. It should be strictly kept in mind that if a business firm wishes to attract the publio it must make adequate provision for them.

Of course there is no thought of an instant conversion, but if the designed purpose were carefully planned and executed within a period of years, much annoyance and expense might be saved to the community of the future.— Yours, etc.. , H. February sth, 10-T.