DURHAM ST. CLOSING

Press, Volume C, Issue 29444, 21 February 1961, Page 16

DURHAM ST. CLOSING

Manufacturers Object

“If the Durham street railway crossing must be closed, surely it would be better for the National Roads Board first to construct the Moorhouse avenue-Colombo street flyover,” said the president (Mr J. K. Dobson) at last evening’s meeting of the council of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association.

Agreeing with Mr Dobson’s views, the council decided to lodge ,an objection to the closing* of the crossing and to support the agitation by the City Council for the building of a cross-over. A number of the association’s members had expressed concern .over the advertised proposal of the City Council to close the crossing, said Mr Dobson.

"Traffic is already congested along the Moorhouse avenue railway area, and, with this area becoming increasingly industrial, the closing of the roadway will impede progress in the area,” said Mr Dobson. Other manufacturers collecting from the railway goods sheds had already experienced difficulty through the congestion. Mr Dobson said he understood that the City Council, the Roads Board and the Railways Department had agreed to close the crossing when the Colombo street overhead bridge was completed. If the crossing were closed, a main arterial approach to the factories of Lane, Walker, Rudkin, Ltd., would be closed, said Mr A, H. Lee. The firm had had trouble for some time because Orbell street was a blind street. The company proposed to extend its premises to Durham street and to give employment for a further 400 to 500 workers. About 1300 workers now came into the area. It was amazing how staff increased, said Mr Lee. The staff of his firm in the area had doubled in the last eight years. With the closing of Durham street, there would be further congestion. What Next? ’■What is coming next?” asked Mr Lee. “Are they going to close Montreal street next, or, if they want better access to the railways, are they going to build an overhead bridge in Durham street In the meantime, access by workers to their employment should be considered. They are in such numbers.” Other firms were also finding access to their premises being blocked off, said Mr Lee. Bus drivers were also complaining of hold-ups and congestion.

The flow of traffic over the the Durham street crossing was large, said Mr D. W. Thomas. If the crossing was closed, the congestion at the Colombo street-Moorhouse avenue intersection would be worse. To close the crossing would be a retrograde step. If Grove road crossing was closed in the future, his company would be affected, said Mr R. H. Stewart. The City Council should take a firm stand on the closing of access to factory areas. Railways over level crossings were the most archaic form of transport. Alternative Suggested

Was an overbridge to Orbell street—a closed street for many years—an alternative if the Durham street closing was closed? asked Mr R. G. Pearce. The railway bisected the city and made things impossible for those living on the south side of the line.

The problem would worsen with more people living on the hills and in the Hoon Hay areas, said Mr Lee. Mr Stewart: We want an elevated railway. A member: Or a sunken roadway. The present trouble was caused when the goods shed was built, said Mr Pearce. The railway station should also have been built further out. The problem concerned not only those living or working south of the railway lines but all collecting and delivering goods.