The Traffic Plan

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30499, 22 July 1964, Page 16

The Traffic Plan

Sir, —I am pleased to see the arguments, opinions, and pressures being applied against any disturbance of precious acres of parkland in the name of “progress.” There is an inevitability about it, a f oreclosure of history; and alert citizens are justifiably wary of a scheme that says “goodbye” to a slice of parkland forever. There is an old rhyme that puts the issue succinctly: “The law is hard on man or woman who steals the goose from off the common, but lets the greater sinner loose who steals common from the goose.”—Yours, etc., PHILLIP RAMSAY. July 21, 1964,

Sir, —After S. Newell’s letter we can draw together the controversies over Cathedral square, motorways, and northward drift. How is Christchurch regarded by those who have travelled outside it? As a stagnant city, aimless in direction except for a determination to espouse causes abandoned in England. Indeed it has been in danger of becoming the one true repository of English (?) culture. Is there hope for Christchurch? Yes. The recent suburban and industrial growth, the beginnings of commercial redevelopment, and the present controversies show growing vigour. Christchurch is awakening from 50 years’ dormancy and it has the choice either of throttling its growth by quoting infallible forbears or of constructing a desert of concrete and glass or of evolving a compromise that will lead to a pleasant and efficient city. The recent pathetic report of the city council on the Hagley motorway suggests that stagnation will not be abandoned without a struggle.—Yours, etc., CHRISTCHURCH-BORN. July 21. 1964.