Waimairi To Press For Slower Speed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31041, 22 April 1966, Page 12

Waimairi To Press For Slower Speed

The \V aima i r i County Council last evening rejected by five votes to four a motion that a telegram be sent to the Minister of Transport (Mr McAlpine) asking for immediate extensions of the 30 miles an hour restricted area. It later passed unanimously a motion that the Minister be sent the same message by letter.

“This goes by ordinary post and mine would have gone by telegraph; is that the only difference?” asked Cr. D. B. Rich, mover of the first motion.

“That’s right,” said Cr. A. A. Adcock, mover of the second motion. “One day—that’s the only difference.” The motions arose from the Transport Department’s refusal to support an application by the Marshland School Committee for a 30 miles an hour zone at the Prestons road-Marshland road intersection. The department’s Chief Traffic Officer reported that a survey had indicated quite conclusively that such a restriction was unwarranted,

and that only extensive development Would justify such a restriction. “Nor will the new service station to replace the present one create any further traffic hazards or congestion,” said his report. Cr. Rich asked what formula the department used to arrive at its decision. It was a complex matter, and the department did not appear to have taken all factors into account: It was 14 months since the school committee first wrote to the council, and nothing had been done. “The performance of the Transport Department qualifies for the ‘Believe It Or Not’ series,” said. Cr. Rich. “They wouldn’t, say yes and they wouldn’t say no; they wouldn’t say stop and they wouldn’t say go.” Plan, of Proposals He said the council had taken up the matter with the Minister and had been sent a plan of the proposed extensions. This the council had returned promptly. Nothing had been heard since. “This is the ‘efficient’ department which the Minister is trying to sell to local bodies,” said Cr. Rich. “I suggest that it is grossly inefficient, 'We should congratulate the City Council on declining to have its traffic control taken over by the department and invite other local bodies to learn from our experience. “The Minister said on television last night that one advantage of his proposal would be greater efficiency. He also said it would be on the heads of. local bodies if there were any road deaths in their areas after refusing to make the change. “The boot is clearly on the other foot. The ratepayers should hold him responsible for injuries br deaths in this area.” He moved that the telegram be spnt. “Well Administered” Cr. R. C. Neville said he Objected to the tone of Cr. Rich’s criticism. Traffic control had been well administered in the council area in the past, and for one small incident Cr. Rich was criticising the whole transport service. He wotlld have no part of it without further investigation. Cr. Rich asked whether the council should wait another 14 months. “Its been a case of having tn kick the department into action all along the line,” he said.

His motion was lost, but when the council came to general business he raised the matter again. “Do I take it that the council is expressing satisfaction with the present state of affairs?” he asked. The chairman (Mr 0. C. Mitchell): I wouldn’t say we were 100 per cent satisfied, but we were dissatisfied with the way you brought it forward. Cr. Adcock said most councillors were not satisfied with the situation. He felt there had been a lack of activity by the local office of the department. He moved that the letter be sent. Cr. Neville seconded the motion and it was carried.