BLENHEIM ROAD OUTLET

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 12

BLENHEIM ROAD OUTLET

Access Through Park

Favoured

REPORT OF A.A. ROADS COMMITTEE

“Blenheim road was designed as a main road and to leave it terminating in a way which creates a traffic problem would defeat the purpose of the scheme. The only practical solution in the interests of public safety is for Blenheim road to be connected to Moorhouse avenue through the corner of Hagley Park.” This resolution of its roads committee was presented to the council of the Automobile Association . (Canterbury) last evening, but deferred until an inspection on the spot has been made by all members of the council.

The overbridge ramp at the east end ■of Blenheim road would come down almost to Deans avenue, said Mr E. R. Casbolt,. chairman of the roads committee. “We maintain that something definite will have to be done before they open that outlet.” A two-chain motorway* fed into the three-quarter-chain Deans avenue.

The options were: (1) Compulsory stops which would aggravate the bottleneck; (2) A roundabout which would eat into the park; (3) The common sense scheme to extend Blenheim road straight through the corner of the park to Moorhouse avenue, he said.

This last proposal would become even more logical when the tunnel road • was opened and it was necessary to funnel an even greater volume of domestic and commercial traffic from Lyttelton to the southern industrial areas and southern highway. Mr Casbolt said. “I’m afraid I am a bit old fashioned and I will not be a party to any resolution which puts a road through any part of the park.” said the president (Mr E. C. Champion). “My views are based on . . “Sentiment. I appreciate it,” said Mr W. R. Carey. , “Whole Park Will Go” “Once you start chipping the whole park will go.” said Mr Champion. The park had been put there by the pioneers for the "benefit of the people but that was in horse and buggy days* and in any case the small part of the park in question was quite valueless and was never used, said Mr A. S. Crew. “The pioneers would not object.” “Have you been in touch with them?” asked Mr F. W. Freeman. Mr Casbolt said he would support the president if any other solution could be found.

The Regional Planning Authority had set up a special committee to study just such problems and its report should be awaited, said Mr Freeman.

Christchurch already had Riccarton avenue through the park, and traffic went through Auckland parks and Hyde Park. London. Nothing was more delightful, said Mr J. A. Paton. The proper course would be to get aerial photographs for study, and also check the use of the park area involved, said Mr B. F. Bicknell. “It’s only used by courting couples,” said Mr Crew.

"In that case I am inclined to support the president,” said Mr R. W. Broadhead, amid laughter. “The committee would agree if there is any other solution,” said Mr A. C. Perry. It was agreed that the council should make a study on the spot. Difficulties reported on the roundabout at the Sockburn end of Blenheim road were reported and referred to the roads committee.