CIVIC TRUST BOARD

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 11

CIVIC TRUST BOARD

Traffic Effects Considered The redesigning of Cathedral square should be considered together with the future development of the Rolleston avenue-University area, and the Avon river, said Mr P. J. Beaven at a meeting of the Christchurch Civic Trust Board.

The area within the “box” formed by the proposed motorways should be considered as a whole, he said. Traffic density and other factors should be carefully considered, and future planning should be a project for the trust.

The latest thinking was to keep traffic out of central city areas, said Mr C. C. Steel. He said that in Fresno, California, the volume of trading had been increased by limiting traffic. The whole area should be treated as one precinct, and the economic argument would be the most forceful way to bring the matter before businessmen, he said. Statistics could be obtained from Fresno, The board decided to “wholeheartedly commend” Cr. A. R. Guthrey for his stand and answer at a recent City Council meeting when he said that the proposed Antigua street traffic bridge would not now be built. This had wide implications on proposals for Rolleston avenue, Park avenue and the Hagley Park motorway, said Mr H. G. Royds.

He quoted various authorities who held it was impossible to accommodate all traffic that wanted to go into cities. There had been a change in thinking as it became evident that attempts to carry urban traffic created more demand, and became self-defeating.