Transport Arrangement For Big Traffic To Test

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 15

Transport Arrangement For Big Traffic To Test

Record crowds and record numbers of cars are expected to travel to Christchurch on Saturday for the third Rugby test. All available City Council traffic department staff will be on duty and the Transport Department will have officers from as far away as Dunedin travelling towards the city.

Arrangements which the traffic' department made for the Lions v. Canterbury game will also be used for the game on Saturday.

However, there will be one extra service. To help motorists quickly and easily to find the most suitable parking positions. Station 3YA will broadcast traffic department reports every 15 minutes. This will enable motorists with radios to park with the minimum of inconvenience.

The Transport Department expects a heavy flow of traffic from all directions. There would be 44 officers on the Dunedin-Christ-church road, said the Chief Traffic Officer (Mr E. Wilson) yesterday. They would work continuously on shift between midday Friday and 2 a.m. on Saturday. For this task, the full staff of traffic officers will be drawn from Christchurch, Ashburton, Temuka, Timaru. Waimate, Oamaru. Palmerston and Dunedin. Additional officers will also be drawn from other southern towns.

Traffic From North On the Nelson-Blenheim-Kai-koura-Christchurch route about eight traffic officers will be on constant duty. “Given a fine day. I don't think there will be any doubt that the number of cars will be greater than ever before —greater than for the Springbok test,” said Mr Wilson. Radio communication between the cars would enable the department to get an accurate picture of traffic conditions on the roads, Mr Wilson said. As the stream of traffic moves up towards Christchurch, so the traffic cars will join in. After the game they will be ready to shepherd the outward surge. “There will be lots of night driving, and motorists are asked to keep their speed down,” said Mr Wilson. “Motorists should keep their eyes open for icy road surfaces.

“Motorists will have to show patience. The greatest danger will be if everyone tries to get away at the same time,” Mr Wilson said. "A street will only carry so much traffic and motorists must be prepared to wait a little.”

Nearing the park on Saturday, motorists should take a parking

place before reaching the completely filled area and having to return, said a City Council traffic department spokesman yesterday Christchurch Transport Board buses, country buses and taxis will use the normal stopping places. No double parking would be permitted in any streets on Saturday, said the spokesman.

Car parking will be available in the railways yard in Mowbray street. the Xavier College grounds. Moorhouse avenue; the Industries Fair ground, off Moorhouse avenue, and the Phillipstown School grounds. Nursery road.

“As soon as the cycle stands near the park are filled, traffic officers will stop cyclists from entering the area to prevent any cycles blocking the footpaths.” said the spokesman. St. John Ambulance

More than 40 members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade will be on duty, with reinforcements from Timaru, Ashburton and Rangiora.

The corps superintendent of the Christchurch Ambulance Brigade (Mr G. H. Dunlop) said there would be two first aid posts at Lancaster Park, one in the number one stand and the other on the south ground near the open number five stand. Doctors would be available at both posts. Rugby patrons have been requested by Mr Dunlop to keep the embankment raceway and the entrance between the number five open stand and the embankment clear to allow the passage of stretcher parties. Ambulance men will be posted at all the entrances to the embankment and the queues will be patrolled from 10 a.m.