Safety For Fire Engines

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 3

Safety For Fire Engines

Sir, —It is time the Christchurch City Council gave consideration to the safety of fire engines proceeding from this Central Fire Station. The crossing of Oxford terrace and Madras street close to the entrance to the fire station is a distinct hazard. Already there has been a fatal fire-engline accident at this point, and, recently, there was another accident between a fire engine and a motor car. The corner with the bridge crossing is not good in the best of circumstances, as it involves a number of roads. The danger is aggravated by; the council’s allowing car parking on the east and north of the clock tower plot. In fact,' these cars are a dangler to pedestrians using the crossing as well as to other traffic, as they cut the visibility of the approach to the crossing. There would be little hardship imposed on the motoring public by forbidding parking on these sides of the triangle. I would suggest, further, that flashing red lights, controlled by the fire station, be installed at the Oxford terrace-Madras street crossing and also on the north side of the Madras street bridge. This would contribute to the safety of the life and property of the people of Christchurch.— —Yours, etc., T.R.P. August 29, 1963. (The Town Clerk (Mr C. S. Bowie) said: “On information received fropi the Chief Fire Officer, it would appear that any accident in which the brigade vehicles may have been involved at the corner of Madras street and Oxford terrace had no relationship to the parking of vehicles round the triangle in which the clock tower is sited. Lights controlled by the fire brigade would not be acceptable to the brigade, as in the event of their failure, the risk is obvious. The Chief Fire Officer assures me that he has not had any complaints from officers or drivers alleging that their view had been obstructed by parked vehicles. The Traffic Superintendent has been asked to watch the situation.”]