A.A.C. Against Changes To One-Way Streets

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32067, 15 August 1969, Page 19

A.A.C. Against Changes To One-Way Streets

Opposition to any suggestion that part of St Asaph Street revert to twoway traffic, or that High Street traffic should be permitted to continue into Ferry Road, has been expressed by the council of the Automobile Association (Canterbury). The council was opposed to the suggestion regarding High Street traffic on the grounds of road safety, and it felt either of the two proposals would seem to compromise the over-all one-way street scheme, the association’s president (Mr J. R. Maling) said yesterday. The council sympathised with the problems of those affected by the oneway streets, but believed that regard must be had for the overall needs of the city as a whole, “ ... in other words, the greatest good for the

greatest number,” Mr Maling said. He said the council of the association had held a special meeting on Wednesday evening and bad discussed the problems involved at length. While it was appreciated that there would be interim difficulties when only the first stage of the one-way system was in operation, it could see no logical alternatives. The council unanimously reaffirmed its support for the one-way street system, Mr Maling said. The association had undertaken to provide special signs to complement the regulatory ones, and to assist motorists to enter the oneway streets more easily, he said. The erection of these signs was started yesterday. Chamber’s View A committee of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce had considered the matter and agreed that the long-term improvement of traffic flow in Christchurch was of paramount importance, the president (Mr R. C. Wallace) said yesterday.

The chamber sympathised with shopkeepers whose returns were affected by street closings, Mr Wallace said, but it acknowledged that the present steps were but part of the adjustments being made by the City Council for an overall improvement

However, it was felt that the present situation was dangerous and the City Council should investigate further the proper handling of this corner.!