CAR PARKING IN CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26409, 1 May 1951, Page 8

CAR PARKING IN CHRISTCHURCH

DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL “Unfortunately, certain councillors do not observe the parking regulations of the city and as soon as they wake up the happier I and the department will be,” said Cr. N. R. Forbes (chairman of the traffic committee) when the City Council last evening discussed the parking of cars. “They will wake up,” said Cr. Mabel Howard, M.P., with emphasis. Cr. Mary McLean said the last council had considered a parking scheme. Had the traffic committee considered it? Was it going to honour the scheme? If not, was there any other scheme?

“Are you going to make provision for bicycles lying across the corner of the Square?” she further asked. “The racks are there for 12 cycles. Sometimes 1200 are there. It is a bit of a worry to people who are not even cyclists.” Cr. Forbes said the traffic superintendent had been asked to provide extra parking accommodation. The committee had its own ideas on parking, but if those ideas were put into operation immediately there would be a “howl round the council table.”

“We will face that as far as bicycles are concerned,” said Cr. Forbes. “I am with Cr McLean. The only thing 1 can say is that the traffic committee will have to give consideration to bikes. It is not right that bikes should clutter up the streets of the city and it may be necessary to have a registration fee—a small one.” “You have another think coming to you if you think about that,” remarked Cr. Howard. Cr. J. L. Hay commended to the consideration of the traffic committee a report by the Wellington city engineer on traffic control. It was the most advanced report on parking. Meters were in almost universal use in the United States. As to bicycles, Cr. Hay said he doubted whether any councillor would suggest registration; but registration was done in two North American cities, and it might come here.