The Buchanan Report

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30965, 22 January 1966, Page 12

The Buchanan Report

Sir, —In his scheme for Bealey avenue, Professor Buchanan suggested a flyover at Carlton corner and Victoria street, the road then coming to ground level. The Salisbury street route was to be completely elevated. The City Planning Study Group in February, 1963, put forward a plan for a completely elevated road in Bealey avenue. Professor Buchanan’s report further stated that it would not be necessary to remove the trees. While accommodating the roadway it would be very tight. It could be done. Bealey avenue could be widened on both sides with very little, if any, destruction of property. Most Bealey avenue houses are set well back from the street boundary. The widening of Bealey avenue would obviate the need to chop up Hagley Park; save the vast destruction of property in the Salisbury street built-up area; save the need for removing the Bealey avenue trees.— Yours, etc., HABAGER. January 21, 1966. Sir,—Backed by a professor’s report, any clear-think-ing local expert can press on confidently with what likely future transport will need, and might even suggest more walking, as in golf. Many “rabbits” who scurried round Hagley Park as golfers have written about roads going through Hagley Park, forgetting original provision for them by our pioneers, who also envisaged a university there. Allowing for the area of Riccarton avenue, one won-

ders what area of public roads has been filched so far from the descendants of pioneers. The ardour of tree lovers, rabbits, and cupids does not project our thoughts hopefully into the future.—Yours, etc., “LIVES BEFORE HOOKS AND SLICES.” January 20, 1966. Sir, —What an infamous suggestion to talk of cutting into people’s properties through Fendalton and to make a road through Hagley Park. My idea is to angle off two roads from the airport, one to connect with Yaldhurst road at the Russley Service Station, the other with Harewood road, as well as the central one going to Burnside road (Memorial avenue) as at present This gives three outlets from the airport and the volume of traffic on the central route in could be controlled by automatic barrier at the parking area. Anyone not wanting to wait a couple of minutes or so could ' e one of the other routes. Anyway, not everyone wants to reach their destination by the central route—some go to Riccarton, Papanui, Hoon Hay etc.—Yours, etc., OUR TOWN. January 18, 1966. Sir, —A road through the park will rob us of a priceless heritage as a noisy road will take away its peace and beauty. In any case the traffic should be kept- away from the square, and the public transport be used to take people from the belts into the city. I am certain that some advocates of the road through the park would object if Glandovey road or Puriri street were involved in the master transportation plan. The use of Montreal street instead of Antigua street and Rolleston avenue will save many workers’ homes and save the Christchurch Hospital from a noisy motorway.—l am, etc., “DISILLUSIONED NATIONALIST.” January 21, 1966.