County Wants Talks On Traffic Control

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31989, 16 May 1969, Page 12

County Wants Talks On Traffic Control

Whether the Christchurch City Council accepts a trial of traffic control by the Ministry of Transport, or decides to retain its own traffic department, the Waimairi County Council wants a discussion on a uniform system of traffic control for the whole city.

It was obvious that the terms being offered by the ministry to the City Council were much more attractive than those at present provided by the ministry’s service for Waimairi, said the chairman (Mr D. B. Rich), at a meeting of the Waimairi County Council last night.

He said that if the change were- made by the city, the whole metropolitan area would undoubtedly be operated by the ministry on a regional basis, as its inspectors already serviced the other council districts in metropolitan Christchurch. The council must be watchful of any move that could affect the county service.

“We should reserve our position at all costs, but we should also study the offer to the City Council in regard to its effect on Waimairi,” he said.

“The City Council has a higher ratio of inspectors a head of population than the ministry does. As the City Council is considering the future of its traffic department. and a decision will be made on financial grounds, it is doubtful if any extra safety will result from the change. “It is not feasible to discuss the proposed regional system with the other councils

at this time, but the City Council should be told that Waimairi is interested in discussing unified control within the city and county.” Mr Rich said that the question was of fundamental interest to the county. While there was no reflection on the work of the individual inspectors, Waimairi had for some time been dissatisfied at the service given by the ministry, and had not had a very fair deal. Cr A. A. Adcock said he had raised the subject of regional control as he had felt for some time that there was not an adequate number of inspectors for county duty. National Matter? Cr F. J. Aitken said that the ratepayer should not subsidise the taxpayer. A national force attracted recruits on a national basis, and provided better trading facilities. Traffic control did not differ greatly from the police, post office, and similar Government agencies. If the City Council accepted ministry control, it might benefit the county by more inspectors being available at times of special demand. He took exception to any suggestion that local traffic forces

should be largely paid for by fines, as this was not in the public interest. It was decided to let the City Council know that Waimairi would be interested in discussing unified control either by local body or ministry inspectors, and the appointment of a regional traffic committee.

The County Clerk (Mr J. Reid) was asked to report on the possible effects of the ministry’s offer to the city on traffic control in the county.