SUGGESTED TRAM ROUTE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 169, 5 April 1923, Page 8

SUGGESTED TRAM ROUTE

THROUGH SOUTHERN KELBURN ONE SHORT TUNNEL ANEW TRAMWAY VIADUCT There is a good deal of curiofiity in Kelburn over the news that the city engineer’s department has figured ©ut another route for tapping Kelburn South by tramway. Many residents of the district continue to think that the circuitous route by way of Al’o Street and Raroa Road is not tlie best or the aviekesi way to the eity -for the majerity of the residents of the district affected, and the long delay in giving effect to the proposal (already approved by the ratepayers) is taken by them as an indication that the present council does not wish to be burdened, with the blame of such a work.

Only a few weeks ago the council called on the city engineer for alternative rotate suggestions. A response was forthcoming last week, when comprehensive plans were prepared showing in detail the various tramway routes, existing and proposed, between the city and the Karori tunnel. The only new plan was that which must receive full examination before anything further is done in the way of transit schemes to the western heights, as it offers a picturesque and fairly direct route, tapping the closely-set-tled district of southern Kelburn, and completing its cityward journey at a [Kiint not far from the junction of Willis and Manners Streets —the centre of the city. This new route provides for an inclined lift (cable car) from a point near the Albert Hotel (in Upper Willis Street) to Wellington Terrace. From the top of that acute rise the service becomes electrical, and the route continues obliquely up the hill by way (roughly) of McKenzie Terrace and section 48 (Town Belt plantation) to Glasgow Street. It passes under the southern end of Central Terrace and Grove Road by means of a short tunnel, and conies out on to Upland Road at a point near the intersection of Grove Road. It then passes along Upland Road and travels over a new viaduct (to be erected a little to the north of the present one, and so to the Karori tunnel. The (otal length of this route is set down as 122 chains —which is precisely the length of the Kilbirnie Post Office-John Street section, and considerably shorter than the JunctionMiramar North section.

The plans also show the route of the same line up to a certain point, but curling round the Kelburn Bowling Club’s green, mounting the slope by way of Kelburn Parade, and so passing to Upland Road and on to the new viaduct provided in the first-rrw-lntioned scheme. There are also outlined on the plans a tramway route via Bowen and Sydney Streets and Tinakori Road; the Willis-Aro StreetRaroa Road scheme, and the existing Kelburn tramway routeThese plans will probably be considered at the next meeting of the Tramwavs Committee.