COLOMBO STREET CROSSING

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21258, 1 September 1934, Page 12

COLOMBO STREET CROSSING

«. BRIDGE OR UNDERGROUND ROAD WANTED MOTOR IS'l'S TO APPROACH DKPARTMFNT The need for either an overhead bridge or an underground road at the Colombo street railway crossing was emphasised by Mr F. W. Johnston at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association last evening. The roads committee was authorised to approach the Railway Department to see if an improvement on the lines indicated by Mr Johnston could be made. The council received a circular letter from the Automobile Association, London, which contained a general survey of road dangers and of level crossings in particular. It stated that in one part of the Midlands there were nine level cross l ings on 11 miles of a main road, and that there were 51 level crossings in Lincolnshire. It mentioned that the association was endeavouring to have the number of crossings reduced. "We should take a lesson from our London brethren," said Mr Johnston. He said it would be a good time for the association to start an agitation to see if something could be done to have the Colombo street crossing removed. There were other dangerous crossings, but that would be a good one on which to start. It was wrong that such a crossing should exist on such a busy road. An overhead bridge or an underground road was necessary. He moved that the roads committee consider the matter and approach the Railway Department. This was carried. Mr F. D. Sargent said there were many other dangerous crossings that could be done away with quite simply. The president, Mr W. R. Carey, said there was a crossing at Sockburn that seemed to take its toll every few months.