WESTERN ACCESS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 25, 24 October 1936, Page 14

WESTERN ACCESS

New Route for Karori Trams

BOWEN STREET SHORT CUT

From the favourable recommendation made by a Parliamentary committee on the Bowen Street-Sydney Street route for a tramway short-cut to the western suburbs, it would seem that the problem is at last in a fair way to being settled. There are opponents to this proposal, but all through the 25 years of controversy on the subject: expert opinion has favoured the route now approved by the Parliamentary committee. 'For the new route it is proposed to take a strip of land from the old Dominion Museum site on the northern side of upper Bowen Street, and then, on a slightly-ascending grade, follow a line that will curve evenly along the northern boundary of the Sydney Street cemetery, cutting into the back yards of some'nine or ten properties ami interfering with the structures ou three others (at the western eud). The scheme involves the closing of Museum .Street and throwing its area into the Government block, which will then extend from Lambton Quay-Molesworth Street to the western boundary of the property occupied by the buildings of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The eastern end of Sydney Street will be a cul-de-sac. The Government may provide a footpath exit through its grounds. If that is not done, pedestrians will have to walk into the city by the new road, which will have footpaths. They will be assisted in that respect by steps, which may be erected near the western gates of the cemetery, for the new road at that point will be well above the level of Sydney Street, and its northern boundary will be a concrete retaining wall.

The new route will result in the saving of one mile -8 chains for each tramcar round trip. As tranicars make 1050 trips weekly via Molesworth Street the saving of tramcar mileage by the adoption of the short-cut will amount to no fewer than 7.3.000 miles annually.

■The tramway department has sufficient funds in band to carry out this work without a loan. The annual saving effected by the cutting out of the surplus car mileage will much more than pay the interest on the money involved in laying down the tracks and overhead systems for the short-cut route. The new route should save at least six minutes on every trip.

“It was with exceedingly great pleasure that I read of the finding of the Parliamentary committee on the tramway route to the western suburbs,” said the mayor, in referring to that matter yesterday. “I, with others, gave evidence before that committee, and strongly urged that the best route was the one the committee has now approved. Now I hope the Government will approve the recommendation of the committee, so as to allow us to proceed with the work as soon as the necessary formalities hav.e been complied with.”