TRAFFIC AT WEEK-END

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29222, 4 June 1960, Page 14

TRAFFIC AT WEEK-END

More Patrols On Duty

Transport Department patrols will be trebled this week-end between Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs in the north and the Rangitata river in the south to control the heavy volume of holiday traffic expected. Some officers are usually engaged in testing and other traffic work during normal traffic periods, but all Canterbury officers will be on patrol duty this week-end. with seven . officers from outside centres assisting them.

They will maintain 24-hour patrols throughout the weekend. ranging from the outskirts of the city to Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs, Akaroa. Southbridge, Springfield and Rangitata. The greatest attention will La given to supervising traffic on the main north and south roads. The Ashburton Trotting Club’s meetings today and on Monday will swell the holiday traffic on the main roads.

An appeal to motorists and other road surers to exercise care was made yesterday by the Transport Department’s chief traffic officer (Mr E. Wilson). “We want motorists to drive at speeds within the margins of safety—in busy traffic, speeds must be reduced,” he said. City Council traffic officers would be on watch on arterial roads out of the city, but the Queen’s Birthday week-end was usually a quiet period in Christchurch. the Traffic Superintendent (Mr G. P. Kellar) said. Patrols would, however, be maintained from early morning until late at night Rail Services The express to Invercargill 1 ad extra carriages yesterday morning and the West Coast rail-car had a double unit. On Monday, there will be an extra express to Greymouth, departing at 6.40 p.m., and an express will leave Greymouth for Christchurch at 7.45 p.m. A night express will leave Christchurch at 1055 pm. for Dunedin, connecting with a train from there to Invercargill. An express from Invercargill will leave for Christchurch at 6.10 p.m. Railways Road Service buses will operate with slight alterations in arrival or departure times on some of the Kaikoura. Akaroa and North Canterbury services. The assistant district manager (Mr J. W Hadfield) said passenger bookings were considerably heavier for this week-end than in other years. The National Airways Corporation will have five additional DC-3 flights and one extra Viscount flight on Monday to cope with the holiday traffic.