No traffic problems

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33443, 26 January 1974, Page 2

No traffic problems

Traffic heading to Games events caused no problems yesterday, and there were no parking difficulties.

All routes to Queen Elizabeth II Park were' clear, and the car-parks I were never more than about two-thirds full,! while on-street parking was available within five; minutes walk of the stadium. The story may be a little different today: the Ministry of Transport expects big crowds today, and much bigger crowds on Sunday. The Ministry’s traffic control plans for Sunday will be the same as for the opening and closing day. Traffic in the city itself was considerably lighter than usual. POLICE TV The police closed-circuit television at Queen Elizabeth II Park had been of "terrific” benefit. Superintendent G. Twentyman said yesterday. One of the cameras looks over most of the car parks, and the other views the main entrance to the park. Mr Twentyman would not say where the cameras were positioned—"they’re too valuable.”

On their first day of use, the cameras picked up two young men acting suspiciously in the car park. A police party questioned the men, but no further action was taken. “The cameras are of immense value in protecting people’s property, especially in the car-park,” said Mr Twentyman.

Up to 70 policemen are stationed at Queen Elizabeth II Park, and their plan is to be as unobtrusive as possible. They are controlled from a room at the back of the main stand.

Mr Twentyman said some

of the 240 extra policemen in Christchurch for the Games had been assigned to beat duty, despite their limited ability to answer questions about the city. "It was something we could not help,” he said. “We have had to use the local policemen as drivers, who obviously require a knowledge of city streets.”