HANDLING TRAM TRAFFIC

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 268, 6 August 1920, Page 6

HANDLING TRAM TRAFFIC

CITY'S BUSIEST LOADING POINT BIG IMPROVEMENTS RECOMMENDED » In consequence o£ the proposed duplication of the existing Lrumivav trnck through. tho city it is necessary for tho civic authorities to again consider tlia arrangement of the stopping place at tho end of the section at Courtenay l 3 lace. Furthor, and in order to repair the roadway in Kent Ten ace between I'irie Street and the Basin Reserve, it is considercd advisable b.v the general manager of tramways, (Mr. W. H. Jl'nrton> that the present 'location of the track should bo considered. Reporting on tho matter at last night's meeting of tho City Council, Mr. Morton stated that plans had been prepared showing itho track passing through'the centre of tho reserves between Courtenay Placp and tho Basin Reserve, and also showing it part of the distance with a single lino 011 each side of the reserve between Pirio Street and '.lio Basin Reserve. He personally had a strong inclination in favour of locating tho track in tho centre of the reserves for the full distance. This would allow narrow plantations with shrubs and grass along both side's, and' provision could be made for a third lino to accommodate waiting cars. Thero could be no doubt about the advisability of making provision for a standing placo for cars near what was the busiest loading point on the system. Provision was also required to be made for the location of sufficient sanitnry conveniences for both sexc9 near this point. Thus tha whole matter required to be considered and determined. Presont Method Wrong. "I am strongly of opinion." concluded Mv. Morton, "that the present method of meeting traffic requirements at tho intersection of Courtenay Placo and Kent Terrace is absolutely wrong, and cousider that Kent Terrace should be used for outwnrd-bound traffic and Cambridgo Terrace for city-bound traffic. _ If tms were approved tho. natural position for tram tracks is along tho centre of tho reserves. No doubt a considerable difference of opinion would be found iu cuuncction with any proposal to do away with the present reserves, but tho necessities of traffic and requirements of publie safety are, I think, paramount. The proposal is very similar to that previously suggested, but with a modification to suit the altered connection from Wakafield Street and provision. is made for several distinct loading points in lieu of one, as at present. The Tramways Committee recommended that . tho various suggestions bo adopted. • ■ Consideration of the matter wao defer* red. '