TRAFFIC PLANS FOR CITY AREA

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28572, 29 April 1958, Page 12

TRAFFIC PLANS FOR CITY AREA

Four Lanes In Madras And Montreal Streets Widening of Montreal street from Moorhouse avenue to Victoria street, and of Madras street from Moorhouse avenue to Bealey avenue, to provide fourlane highways was favoured by the traffic committee in a report to. the City Council last evening as a move to relieve traffic congestion in Colombo street, which it decided should remain at its present width. The proposal involves Montreal street running through Cranmer square and Madras street through Latimer square, with parking prohibited in both streets. It was referred to the works, reserves, town planning and finance committees for consideration. The council approved parking restrictions in the * central area, alterations to parking meter time limits making hour-parking available everywhere, and prohibition of meter “feeding.” A clause in the committee’s report proposing a prohibition of right-hand turns at light-controlled intersections was referred back for on whether the prohibition should apply at all times or just at peak periods.

Colombo street congestion and widening had been discussed on several occasions, the committee reported, and a special meeting had considered it undesirable to widen the street, for traffic. To put the proposal for Montreal and Madras streets into operation, the committee suggested that the minimum width of each street should be 76 feet, providing a carriageway of 56 feet. “With the extension of'streets through the squares, the existing roadways on the east and west sides would be closed and replaced with service lanes to the houses in the area,” the committee said. “This would ensure that there would be no loss of park area. “In the proposed four-lane highways, provision has been made for cycle traffic, Qnd the additional traffic which may be created by the new railway station has been taken into consideration.” No Stopping To facilitate the movement of traffic in the central area of the city at peak periods, the council agreed that parking, standing or stopping of private and commercial vehicles would be prohibited between 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m in Colombo street, from Moorhouse avenue to the Avon river, in Manchester street from Moorhouse avenue to the Avon; and in High street, from Colombo street to* Ferry road. “If this proposal is adopted, the provision of four lanes of traffic should be possible,” the committee said. The restrictions will come into force on July 1. Parking Meters The council agreed that all 30minute parking meters should be altered to allow 60-minute parking after the committee said that half an hour was insufficient in many cases to enable motorists to transact business. t A period of 30 minutes would still be available for 3d, the committee said. To overcome the “feeding” of meters, the council agreed that the City Solicitor be asked to frame a by-law to prevent the parking of a vehicle in a metered space for more than one period at the maximum tiipe permitted by the meter for the space. “In many cases it is known that motorists are parking their vehicles in metered spaces for long periods, paying the appropriate fee when the meter expires or when the area is patrolled. ’ the committee said. “This practice defeats the original purpose of the meter, which was to create a turn-around of parked vehicles and consequently provide better parking facilities.” In some streets close to the central area all-day parkers were occupying space to the detriment of persons wishing to visit shopping areas. The council agreed with the traffic committee that 60-minute time limits be instituted in . Gloucester street, Hereford street and Cashel street, between Cambridge terrace and Montreal street and in Oxford terrace, on the north side from Colombo street to Manchester street. The present 10-minute parking restriction in Hereford street between Manchester street and Latimer square and in Tuam street from Manchester street to Durham street is to be extended to 60 minutes. Public Objections The public would, not stand for

interference with Latimer, and Cranmer squares, said Cr. N. R. Forbes. Had the traffic committee considered a master traffic plan? Had it considered the four surrounding avenues? Cr. «M. R. Carter asked. “I am rather amazed that the traffic committee can do just whal it likes about reserves and not ever consult the reserves committee,” said Cr. W. J. Cowles, chairman of the latter committee. “We have provided roundabouts all round the city to slow Up traffic. The squares serve exactly that purpose. Cr. A. R. Guthrey said that there were buildings in Colombo street being held up because there had been no decision on a motion to rescind the council’s previous decision to widen the street. The Deputy-Mayor (Cr. L. G. Amos) said the committee’s report should be referred to the works, town planning, reserves and finance committees for their suggestions. “Over-all plans by the time they are completed are out of date,” said the chairman of the traffic committee (Cr. M. McLean). “This is the beginning of a plan in a small way. It is an attempt to get something done.”