A DANGER POINT

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 110, 3 February 1931, Page 11

A DANGER POINT

Thorndon Bottleneck

RISK OF ACCIDENT Tramway Shunting It is considered likely that as a result of representations by the Wellington Automobile Club steps will be taken by the authorities to minimise the risk of accident at the intersection of tile Hutt Road, Thorndon Quay, and Tinakori Road. At a meeting of the Automobile Club last evening, the chairman, Mr. E. A. Batt, said that this bottleneck was the main entrance to the city, and it seemed unfortunate that the tramway barn was built right opposite the intersection, so that the shunting arrangements took every car to the centre of the road. Moreover. sometimes trams had to stand not only on the road but at an angle. This was causing serious inconvenience to traffic, and he was informed had been responsible for one serious accident and several narrow escapes. Added to this was the fact that the regular ten-minute trams which found their terminus at that point had to shunt back to the other line to return to the city. Mr. Batt said he had interviewed the manager of the tramway department, and had apprised him of the position. Mr. Cable had promised to look into the matter, although he had made it clear that he could not alter the shunting arrangements. He agreed, however, to consider a suggestion that the turning points should be shifted nearer the city. That would cost money, but it was better to spend several hundred pounds than to lose a life. “I believe we have started something that may result in an improvement at this intersection,” the chairman added. Mr. E. Palliser: There is more trouble there on Sundays than on any other day of the week. Dr. H. Graham Robertson: That is perfectly correct.