Bealey Avenue Traffic

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31416, 8 July 1967, Page 12

Bealey Avenue Traffic

Sir,—l frequently travel north and south along Madras street, and in so doing cross Bealey avenue about 24 times a week. The north and south sides of this avenue are divided into three clearlymarked traffic lanes. The third lane is arrowed as a right-hand turn lane at each intersection. From my observation this is often used as a speeding and overtaking

lane, thus causing hesitation and delay to the traffic crossing at these intersections. Would it not be safer to make these third lanes both through and turning lanes and thus avoid confusion? I can well understand a stranger to Christchurch being bewildered in endeavouring to find his correct turn-off street but I think the majority of offending drivers are locals.—Yours, etc, OBSERVATOR. July 2, 1967. [The traffic superintendent of the Christchurch City Council (Mr J. F. Thomas) replies: "Checks taken of the movement of motor-vehicle traffic on Bealey avenue have shown that a right-turn lane is essential for the smooth flow of traffic and to alleviate the danger of lane-changing when a right-turning vehicle is passed on the left We feel the existing method of indicating direction of travel caters adequately for present traffic volumes and affords maximum safety. Motorists should not use the right-turn lane when proceeding straight through an intersection, and such manoeuvres are not condoned by this department.”]