COLOMBO STREET RAIL CROSSING

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27169, 13 October 1953, Page 8

COLOMBO STREET RAIL CROSSING

OVERHEAD BRIDGE WANTED RAILWAYS DEPARTMENT TO BE APPROACHED An overhead bridge at the Colombo street railway crossing was advocated by the deputy-chairman of the Christchurch Transport Board (Mr C. C Holland) yesterday. “This level crossing is a big drawback from the point of view of operating. There was agitation for a bridge some years ago, but we were told that a fairly steep ramp would be necessary, and that it would be too steep for trams with trailers to negotiate. We should tell the authorities that that does not now apply—or at least will very soon not. If we tell them f hardly think they will have the bridge neady before we have buses 0n ... e route »” said Mr Holland. ‘Although the Railways Depart«,enJ d * d th® bridge near the Gas Works, I think they will feel that it is the job of the city t 0 do this one for themselves,” said Mr G. D Griffiths. “It would take at least a couple of years to complete, and no time should be lost now.’’ ‘‘lt is evident we are not going to be the chopping block any further.’ commented the chairman (Mr F. L Brandt) on a remark by Mr Griffiths that the City Council would be involved in such an undertaking. It was decided to submit to the Railways Department the urgent need for an overhead crossing at the Colombo street railway, together with the in* formation that the difficulty of negotiation over a ramp by transport vehicles had disappeared or was about to disappear.