DURHAM ST. CLOSING

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29299, 2 September 1960, Page 10

DURHAM ST. CLOSING

Opposition By Businessmen

Closing of the Durham street railway crossing should be opposed, a city councillor, Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, said at a meeting of the council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening.

Mr Mac Gibbon, who explained that he was not a member of the City Council when it agreed to the closing of the street in return for a Railways Department contribution towards the cost of the Colombo street overbridge, said that, taking a long view, Colombo street might not be able to cope with all the traffic offering. “We are giving away a crossing for a saving on the overbridge,” he said. “All the objections possible should be given in support of the crossing being kept open.” ■ Closing of the crossing would direct a larger flow of traffic into Colombo street, said Mr J. J. B. Connor. One of the advantages of Durham street was that it could be used as an alternative and at some time in the future might be useful as a through road.

"There is no doubt that the closing is a retrograde step for the traffic of the city,” he said. “We may be late in our protest, but the milk has not been spilt yet”

The transport committee reported that objections to the closing should be lodged within 40 days of the advertisement notifying the closing. Members would be given that information in a circular, the president (Mr R. C. Neville) said. “I have already had two or three very strong objections, although not in the proper form.”