Big traffic problems

Press, 29 August 1978, Page 6

Big traffic problems

The Ministry of Transport is preparing to deal with j some big traffic problems! associated with the Sir, Charles Kingsford Smith air! pageant to be held at Wigr-| am on September 9 and 10. | The organisers expect about 100,000 spectators on] the second day and to the] Ministry of Transport this ; represents about 30,000 cars. “If traffic becomes stationary, there will be some pretty big traffic problems,” said Senior Traffic Sergeant R. S. Lenz, who has been working with the pageant organisers yesterday. “We are expecting some! serious traffic congestion. The roads can only hold a] certain amount of traffic be-1 fore they become congested.] I can see stationary cars

stretching from Wigram i right back down Blenheim ißoad to the city,” he said. The biggest crowd at ■i Wigram had been about •| 20,000 for the Lady Wigram ' Trophy car race meeting, ] but five times this number i ] is expected on the final day : of the air pageant. 1 There were a limited number of access roads to Wigr- • am, said Senior Traffic Sergeant Lenz. Each of the four entrances would be broken : up into nine shutes, but i motorists approaching Sockburn could expect to drive in three or four lanes. “That is going to be a ] new experience for Christchurch drivers because they I can’t even drive in two,” he | said. He warned motorists not

going to the air pageant to keep away from Sockbum and suggested that those driving to the pageant make an early start. A special traffic plan offering five different routes has been prepared for the pageant. The Ministry of Transport is urging people to make sure their cars are filled. To encourage this, the pageant organisers are charging $6 a car, irrespective of the number of passengers. The ususal entry fee is $2 a person. About 50 traffic officers will be on duty directing traffic to and from the pageant. “Look at the routes, fill up cars, and leave early," Senior Traffic Sergeant Lenz recommended.