ROAD THROUGH PARK

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 12

ROAD THROUGH PARK

Schools 9 Council Protests

Objections to a road through Hagley Park were pressed by resolution of the Christchurch Postprimary Schools’ Council last evening in response to a request for . support from tile Canterbury Pilgrims’ and Early Settlers’ Association. The proposed road was not necessary for the progress of Christchurch, the association said. Nor was this just a matter of sentiment. Other cities were striving to extend their open spaces rather than destroy them.

The Schools’ Council was vitally concerned because of the threat to playing fields, of which there was already a shortage, the letter said. If this road was built, the principle of preserving the parks could be lost. The Blenheim read outlet should have been considered before the road was built, and then it could have been taken by a different route, the association said. Blenheim road was not a high-speed motorway. It was subject to a 30-miles-an-hour limit over most of its length, so that a roundabout on Deans avenue would meet the rituation. Should the council have an opinion on this issue? asked the chairman (Mr J. Cartwright). “I don’t see why not,” replied Mrs L. J. Broomfield. “Youngsters are our concern and playing fields for them a”? involved.” Playing Fields

Playing fields for Christchurch West High School would be directly affected, said Mr A. Greenwood. “I think we have an interest through recreational facilities for the young,” said Professor George Jobberns.

“Having taken part in the meeting which inaugurated consideration of a master traffic plan for Christchurch, I think that is the most useful and sensible thing we have done yet, and Blenheim road experience will be a most useful pointer to that committee,” said Professor Jobberns. “If there had been such a committee before, I don’t think this problem would have arisen. I don’t think Blenheim road will ever develop into a high-speed limited-access highway. Therefore I see no point in putting a road through the park to create another bottleneck at the Moorhouse avenue-Lincoln road intersection.” “Where five roads meet,” interjected Mr Duncan Mackay. The four-lane Montreal street scheme had the same fault, said Professor Jobberns. It would have failed at a bottleneck at, the Victoria street clock tower. “When metropolitan Christchurch gets together on these problems I don’t think anyone will see a need to go through the park,” he said.

“We did not hesitate to state our opposition to a road through Cranmer square.” said Mr Mackay • Professor Jobberns’s motion that the council would be sorry to see any encroachment on the park was carried without dissent. The matter will be referred to the Christchurch West High School Board for particular comment.

The council, as one of the organisations entitled to object within four months, also received a rural scheme from the Regional

Planning Authority. Generally, it was found that there was no interference with the council’s plans, but a sub-committee was appointed to investigate.