TRAFFIC CONTROL

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26021, 26 January 1950, Page 3

TRAFFIC CONTROL

CHRISTCHURCH SYSTEM CRITICISED

After Mr C. B. Myhre had complained of Christchurch’s system of traffic control and suggested to the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association last evening that proposals for reform should be made to the City Council, several members argued that it was not a matter for their organisation, and the meeting decided to take no action. Many overseas visitors had made pithy comments about traffic in Christchurch, Mr Myhre said. In overseas countries and other main centres in New’ Zealand there were important controls which had not yet been adopted in Christchurch. One of the most common forms of overseas control was one-way traffic. There was no one-day traffic in Christchurch if the Bridge of Remembrance was excepted. Parking was another problem which he felt should be, tackled. There should be no-stop-ping areas, and it would be helpful if “creeping” left-hand turns were allowed at busy intersections. Mr D. V. Wilson, who said that there had been very good co-operation with the traffic department of the council, questioned the wisdom of taking any action. Several other members said that the Chamber of Commerce had a special traffic committee and was working on the problem. Asked by Mr Wilson to explain where there were 60-minute parking areas where one could park for eight hours, Mr H. C. Urlwin said: “Well, the press are here, but I don’t mind. Women come into town for two or three hours’ shopping and they can’t find parking space within cooee. Yet all round Cambridge terrace and parts of Oxford terrace are 60-minute areas. Practically every car there is parked from 9 to 5. o’clock. I would charge them £1 a day for it. They mostly come from the sharks’ area, too.”