Heavy traffic for Games

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 18

Heavy traffic for Games

Traffic officers had their heaviest day of the Games period yesterday with three exceptionally heavy concentrations of traffic associated with the Games and the Royal tour.

The heaviest was during the early afternoon when a larger than expected build-up of traffic created traffic jams round Queen Elizabeth H Park. Some delays of up to 45 minutes were reported but, on the whole, motorists re-

mained patient and cooperative.

Traffic leaving the park was quickly dispersed, however.

The second major operation was during the running of the Games marathon. As well as involving many major arterial roads which are normally busy, the race generated its own traffic concentrations, as spectators crowded viewing points along the course. Traffic again built up in the j centre of Christchurch as the; (Royal Family travelled from Lyttelton to the Town Hall' for the Royal variety concert.i Chief Traffic Officer I. W. McLauchlan said that ( although there had been some' unavoidable delays, traffic! generally had been moving' very well.

The heavy use of private vehicles was reflected in the number of buses which went to Queen Elizabeth II Park yesterday—77. This compared with the 88 needed last Saturday, although yesterday was expected to be the busiest day of all. Song and dance The badminton tournament at Cowles Stadium ended with a rousing chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” last evening as competitors from 14 countries linked arms around the three courts and sang loudly. The heartiest chorus came from the English team, which won most of the medals. The victory hostesses joined the singing, and performed a dance.