Traffic Suggestions

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 14

Traffic Suggestions

Interesting suggestions for improving traffic arrangements in Christchurch were made last week by Cr. M. McLean, chairman of the City Council’s traffic committee. Her advocacy of subways for pedestrians is not new, but it is a safety measure well worth considering as road and pedestrian traffic become heavier. Indeed, pedestrian traffic on the short crossing from the Post Office to the Godley Plot in the Square might even now justify a subway. The crossing from the railway station across Moorhouse avenue should also be considered. Traffic on the belt roads, especially Fitzgerald and Bealey avenues, was suggested by Cr. McLean for urgent consideration. It is not the traffic on these roads • themselves that causes trouble, but its influence at busy times of the day in preventing

traffic out of the city from crossing them. Cr. McLean’s idea is that a speed limit at intersections would give cross traffic a chance. A better remedy would be traffic lights of the cheap overhead type used freely in other parts of the world. It is time Christchurch

got over the idea that the present expensive traffic lights system is the only one worth considering. Synchronised traffic lights along main streets are well worth thinking about, and one-way traffic is likely to come sooner or later. Cr. McLean’s proposal for a “ ring ” road by development of the four avenues must obviously wait upon the master traffic plan. This is not to say that action on all traffic problems should be delayed. Cr. McLean has given a useful lead to those responsible for keeping city traffic conditions tolerable.