A TRAFFIC PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 141, 17 June 1922, Page 5

A TRAFFIC PROBLEM

IMPROVING COURTENAYPLACE

SOME OP THE PROPOSALS

TRAMWAY COMMITTEE'S TASK,

When the Great War wag in its infancy, certainly before it was six months old, proposals were framed and plans were drawn up for improvements to be made at the tramway junction in Courtenay-place. These were nob the first of such proposals, but they were agreed to, to a substantial extent, by the City Fathers of the period, and the result was that the appearance of the locality surrounding the tram stop was materially altered. The picket fence around the plantation was removed, and grassy plots were laid out, while a long tram shelter was erected. "FINALITY SHOULD BE REACHED." During the discussions that took" place at the City Council in the early part of 1915, regarding Courtenay-place improvements, insistence was laid by most councillors on the point that "finality on the matter should be reached." The City Engineer, however, wanted things done one way, but some City Councillors wanted them done in other ways. For instance, at a meeting of the council, held on 11th February, 1915, Councillor L. M'Kenzie moved : "That the resolution passed at -the last council meeting, agreeing to the alteration of Courtenay-place tram terminus, be reconsidered ; that a fresh plan be prepared running the trams through the reserve, wlith a resting line in the centre, which would allow reserve cars to be diverted to either line; that a station suitable for all time be erected, and that all the-roads be conserved for vehicle traffic." At the same meeting Councillor W. J. Thompson also had a motion down for consideration, and it ran as follows :—"That with a view to ensuring the safety and convenience of the public, and improving the street for vehicle traffic, the City Engineer be instructed to prepare drawings'and estimates for altering the tramlines at Courtenay-placei so that same will run through the middle of the plantation, to provide shelter for passengers on both sides of the lines; also, up-to-date lavatories for both sexes." After much discussion, Councillor M'Kenzie's motion was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor (Sir John Luke), and Councillor Thompson's proposal was withdrawn. Courtenay-place accordingly underwent a change, mostly on the lines of the City Engineer's recommendation, .but the metamorphosis is not yet complete, for the recent Committee of Inquiry into the tramway system recommended "that the Tramway Committee be instructed to prepare a comprehensive plan for improvements to Courtenayplace junction."

The growth of population in the eastern suburbs, with the consequent heavier drain on the tramway service, and the. system of car despatch, as well as the great volume of vehicular traffic passing daily through Courtenay-place via Kent Terrace and Cambridge /Terrace, make some improvement at the tram junction imperative. As indicated in the report of the Committee of Inquiry, the Courtenay-place centre will require to be remodelled when the Wake-field-street line is laid down. "Very extensive improvements are necessary at this centre," remarks the report, which goes on to say : "This matter has received attention by many sucessive tramway committees, and many proposals have been put forward. There are two aspects to be considered. The first is one of a technical nature, and the second is of a town-planning nature applied to a block so admirably adapted for such a purpose. No decision has been arrived at by the Committee of .Inquiry, but it recommends that the Tramway Committee be instructed to prepare a comprehensive plan for improvements to Courtenay-place junction. Consideration' of such nlan not to be necessarily fettered by the existence of any grounds or plots, either at the waiting .sheds or between Kent and Cambridge Terrace." MANY PROPOSALS. It is perfectly true that many proposals have been put forward, and the question of traffic in Kent and Cambridge Terraces, has an important bearing upon them. One idea that was submitted to the City Council some time ago, provided for "one way", traffic in Kent-terrace and Cambridgeterrace. Under this scheme, all vehicles bound in the .direction of the Basin Reserve, would pass up Kent-terrace, vehicles coming towards Courtenay-place making use of Cambridge-terrace. Were this idea adopted, it would remedy the dangerous; congestion of traffic which at present takes place in Kent-terrace, and it would considerably minimise the risk of accident. The chief consideration in traffic control is to keep it moving in regular lines and so avoid the practice common to Kent-terrace of one vehicle dodging another in the struggle for position. From the pedestrians' point of view, it is much more advantageous, to have lines of vehicles passing the one way, for it makes for a greater degree of security in crossing the street by eliminating the danger of being knocked down by motors or other vehicles coming from the opposite direction. AN "ISLAND" PLATFORM. Linked up with the suggestion for "one way" traffic was a proposal for the construction of an "island" platform at the Courtenay-place junction, and this actually received the benediction if the City Council some months ago, but in the light of the Inquiry Committee's report it would no doubt have to come up for reconsideration. The platform, it w^s. proposed, should be placed between the footpath and the tram track at a' distance of 20ft from the kerb. People desiring to board city-bound cars would stand on the "island," and vehicles emerging from Cambridge-terrace would pass slowly behind them. The adoption of the_ platform idea would thus lead to a partial waiving of the interdict against vehicular traffic passing through Cour--tenay-place on the southern side of the plantation. Vehicles wanting to go along Kent-terrace would, of course, have to follow the present route and keep to the northern side of the tramway shelter shed. For .the "island" project to be run successfully, it would be necessary for the Police Department to keen a man on point duty close to the spot in order to exercise control over vehicular traffic. In any case, the very existence of an "island" platform, with people continually moving on to it, would have the effect of inducing drivers of vehicles to proceed slowly past the spot. At tramway stopping-places in streets which are wide, it is necessary that people should be able to stand near to where the cars'" pull up, and "island" platforms appear to be the best means of enabling them to do so with safety. At night time the platforms could be well lighted by means of ornamental lamps.

STOP IK KENT-TERRACE. Amon.'^ other proiioscils for V.irecting improvements at Coiulenay-placo was

the project for pliieiii" the tram slop in Kent-terrace and running (lie 'ranis tiwn tliroiis;li (ho reserve which divides -the two ten-aces. Such »o, idea i* taking

shape _in Liverpool, where tram tracks are laid between boulevards as much as possible. The argument in its favour is that people are removed from the line of traffic, although crossing places must be provided at intervals.

Town-planners, however, are likely to oppose vehemently any proposal to interfere with the Kent-terrace-Cambridge-terrace Reserve in any way. Wellington's chief arteries, principally because of _ their narrow width, are notably deficient in aesthetic lay-out, and to many people a proposal "to put tram lines through a reserve, no matter how humble it may be, would savour of something almost amounting to vandalism. It would appear, therefore, that when the Tramway Committee begins de novo consideration of improvements at Courtenayplacc, the previously-affirmed decision in ■■favour of an "island" platform is likely to be recommended. VIEWS OF THE MAYOR. The Mayor (Mr. R, A. Wright, M.P.) is in favour of a "one way" traffic rule and an "island" platform in Courtennyplace. In Mr. Wright's opinion, this scheme is the most economical, considering the city's financial position, and is likely to meet the needs of the city's busy tramway junction for some time'to come. Its adoption will not prevent any future council from embarking upon a more ambitious programme when the Kent-terrace tram track needs relaying. Mr. Wright points out that new conveniences are absolutely necessary at Courtenay-place, and he thinks that they can be made to fit in with any scheme for improving the tramway facilities there, whether it be designed to meet the needs of the present only or one capable of modification as the exigencies of traffic demand in the future. '