Danger To Children Worries Council

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31196, 21 October 1966, Page 12

Danger To Children Worries Council

Concern at the operations of “Mr Whippy” vans was expressed by the Waimairi County Council at its monthly meeting last night, when complaints were also aired about the speed of Burwood road traffic in the vicinity of the Waitikiri golf links, and about the actions of some drivers returning from carracing at Ruapuna Park on Sundays.

The traffic committee reported that Cr. D. B. Rich had said he was concerned at the way children and adults crossed the road to “Mr Whippy” vans, parked in such places as the bend in the Main North road north of Chaneys at week-ends. Cr. A. A. Adcock said that he wondered if the van, park-

ed in that position, caused a traffic obstruction. The chief traffic inspector (Mr W. Sterrett) told the committee that although the dividing line was thin, cars stopping in the vicinity were causing the obstruction, not the van. The traffic deparment was investigating. Twelve residents of Burwood road, the parents of 19 children under school age, had petitioned for a 20-mile-an-hour limit outside each entry to the residential zone in Burwood road near Waitikiri. the report continued.

They were concerned at the speed of traffic, felt that a 30 miles an hour sign, on a curve, was ineffective, and that it was only a matter of time before a vehicle turned the bend too fast to stop in time to avert a tragedy. The council considered that a 20 miles an hour restriction would be unreasonable, but approved of extra attention being given by traffic inspectors. particularly at weekends.

Cr. A. C. Rhodes, the report continued, said that Ruapuna Park traffic produced considerable danger from irresponsible drivers. At Church corner, he had seen a pedestrian nearly knocked down by cars illegally overtaking. Similar stupid actions were much in evidence.

This complaint, too was left for the attention of the inspectors.