ACCESS TO WESTERN SUBURBS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 126, 30 May 1928, Page 5

ACCESS TO WESTERN SUBURBS

' "It is apparent that owing to the natural configuration of the country lying between the city and the western suburbs, access between the city and these suburbs can only be' effectively secured by two routes on reasonable grades—namely, one to the north via Glemnore'road, and one to the south via Aro street, and in consideration of the problem the Commission has had regard1, to the necessity for the provision of convenient connections to the railway station, to the business and 'shopping areas, and to tho Te Aro Mat area, and districts lying to the south aiicl^ east thereof. « "With regard to the various proposals submitted, the Commission has to report, as follows:— . Via Hill street (Route No. W.I). "The proposed route to the western suburbs through. Hill street would provide a tramway deviation about 42 chains shorter tiian the existing line via Molesworth street and Xinakori road, but to make this street suitable for tramway operation it woidd be jicccsstify to lower half tho width of the street on its southern, side, an objectionable feature in the case of a -main thoroughfare. Further, to make this route an effective means of access to Karori and other districts, for vehicular trallic as well as tramways, the portion of Tinakori road from Hill street to' Sydney street would require to bo widened, which would entail heavy expenditure on account of tho acquisition of property and constructional costs in altering and regrading several .side roads. Via Bowen street (Route No. W. 3) ''The proposed Bowen street No. W. 3 route follows the existing, street line, passes through private property behind the Museum building, and through the northeastern corner of the liolton street Cemetery into Sydney street, and thence via the Glenbervie cutting, on a gradient of X "in IS, to Tinakori road. "One alternative proposal was submitted for a tunnel from the head of Bowen street, under the Bolton. street Cemetery to the junction of Sydney street and Cllenbcrvie cutting. "Another proposal was examined, the adoption of which would necessitate the construction of a tunnel from the head of Sydney street West, under the corner of Anderson Park to Tinakori road. "Tho tramway distance via tho Bowon street route is 56 chains shorter than that via Molcsworth street, and when Glenmore road and Chaytor street are widened to permit of outgoing aiid incoming vehicular trliflic keeping to its proper position., on these- roads, this route will afford a ready means of access from Karori and .Northland to the centre of the city, and to, the railway station. This route docs not, however, provide a direct connection from the western suburbs to the To Aro district, except via existing routes through the city, and some additional means of access will ultimately be necessary. To meet this position two routes suggest themselves—namely, via Raroa road or via Norway street. Via Raroa road (Route No. W. 15). . "Tho proposed route via Karoa road' follows generally the present road on a grade of 1 in 15 to Plunkct street, and then descends on a grade of 1 in 17.5 to a point near the eastern entrance to the Knrori tunnel. To improve this route from I'lunket street to < Hen more road near injunction with Northland'road would entail the resinnptinn of a good deal of property, and would necessitate the construction of heavy earthworks and retaining walls. "As an alternative to descending to Gleninorn road, consideration, was (riven to the possibility of continuing along Karoa road, crossing over (lit! Karori tunnel, and then descending to Chaytor street, thereby

giving communication to both Northland and lvarori tramway routes. "In both cases the cost of construction would be exceptionally high. The general route is, moreover, very circuitous, and therefore for tramway purposes would entail excessive wear and tear. "After careful consideration the Commisison is of opinion that the proposed route via Earoa road is quite unsuitable as a main arterial route for tramway and vehicular traffic to the western suburbs. Via Norway street (Route No. W. 14) "The proposed route via Norway street leaves 'Aro street at its junction with Durham street, crosses Holloway road and Thule street by overhead bridges, and continues up the Norway street valley on a grade of 1 in 15, passing under the ridge by a tunnel 500 ft long to the horseshoe bend in Glenmore road. It would involve a minimum disturbance of property. "This route would be suitable for all classes of vehicular traffic, and would be well adapted for tramway traffic if and when required. Via Boulcott Street (Route No. W.B). "The suggested road from Boulcott street by a tunnel under the Wellington Terrace to the junction of Kelburn Parade and Salamanca road would be of some use and a convenience to the residents of the Kelburn district, but would not afford a solution of the problem of providing a through route to the western suburbs. Cable Tramways and Co-ordinated Omnibus Services. "The Commission has considered several suggested routes for cable tramways to Kelburn, but before dealing with these proposals in detail, desires to state its general views in regard to this method of transport to the higher levels. "The existing Kelbui'n cable tramway has amply demonstrated its usefulness and commends itself as a rapid means of transit from the heart of the city to the upper levels from which access is now being obtained, to some extent, by bus services to Karori. "It is obvious that, with the growth of population the present cable tramway will be overtaxed and increased facilities will1 have' to be provided for, either by the construction of another cable tramway or the duplication of the existing system. "'The ideal would be to provide a cable tramway with its city terminal well to the south of the existing one, and in close proximity to Willis street. To realise this would necessarily entail considerable capital outlay as well as interference with private property. "The Kelburn terminal should be ■at some convenient point on Upland road, from which bus services could be operated to those portions of the western suburbs to which access cannot be economically given by tramway services. "Dealing now- with the various proposals, examined, the Commission ( has to report as- follows: — "The first route' examined had its city terminal at the junction of Church, street and Boulcott street, and its Kelburn terminal near North terrace. Ihe total length would be 1000 feet on a grade ot approximately 1 in 0. The route would puss under Wellington terrace in a tunnel 2GO foot.long at a depth of about 6S icet. The route would cross the angle of Salamanca road and Kelburn parade by viaduct at a maximum height about 00 toot above ground, with an approximate length of viaduct of 350 feet. Another viaduct would be required over Kawhiti terrace. Private property would have to be acquired for the Kelburn terminal and the erection of Ihe necessary buildings for the operating plant: Provision would have to be made for a new means of access trom Boulcott street to Wellingtn terrace. lins. route haa the .disadvantage of requiring passengers' to walk some distance from or to the main thoroughfare in Willis street to or from the entrance at Church street "The second proposal was for a cable tramway having its city terminal at Willis street, near Flagstaff ,Hill, and its Kelbiirn terminal at the Kiosk. Ihe total loiv'lh would bo 2340 feet, and the grades would vary from 1 in#9.2 to 1 in 5.4. it would lias's under Wellington terrace in tunnel at a depth of 00 feet, access being by lilt, and a subway having its surface portal near Dixon street. It would proceed by open cut across the reserve' to Salamanca road, which would require to be diverted to the east to enable the roadway to be carried by bridge over the tramway. It would cross Kelburn parade by all overbridge, the street beiiif? slightly diverted to the west. It would then continue in embankment and cutting to Jvclburn parade, Garden road being carried over it 'by a bridge. The haulage station would be located at the Kiosk, where space could be provided for parking 'and turning buses. As in the former proposal, several private properties between Upland^ road and Kelburn parade would have to be acquired, involving the payment ol compensation, and there would be some interference with Kelburn Park. J.ini, route involves very costly ■ construction* work, both in tunnel and in overhead bridges, but has the advantage of utilisiiv at its terminal land already belonging to"tho Corporation, both being convenient of access, to existing transport facilities. A complementary advantage would be the improvement to the junction ot Salamanca road and Kelburn parade. _ . "A third proposal examined was foi a cable tramway having its city tormina la Willis street, near Glmznee street,.. <jnu its Kelburn terminal on Upland road near its junction with Grove, road. Ihis 10 to is practicable from a constructional standpoint, but involves, such extensive mteiference with private Property at the city end and, is located so far up Will s sheet a" not to commend itself as a desirable proposition.' Proposed Acquisition and Duplication of Existing Kelburn Tramway. '"Consideration" was also given to a pronosil for the acquisition- of the Kelbmn tramway and its subsequent duplication, when required, so as to. provide an express service, giving increased facilities not, only to Kelburn itself, but also to the outlying suburbs, by co-ordinated bus services to the Kelburn Extension, IN oil - land, Highbury etc With tins end m view, a scheme has been prepai-ed oi c duplication of the existing cablo tiaimwy on a route parallel to and 50 feet to the .south thereof, and having, therefore, essentially the same ' constructional ka ■ uvoh as now obtain. It is, '"Y^'S "oslcd -that the diameter of the lunneth could, with advantage, be increased to ,novide for wider caw, and.g.ve moie clc. anco or as an alternative, the installation of a single Hue with crossing pMce in the centre. This would involve the acquisition of several pnvato P'' 0Pcrtl.c^, route, and also valuable property- at the city terminal. Its chief function, as obm c indicated, .would be to provide express b «uviccs, particularly at rush hour period*. It should be economical m operation because the same terminal staffs would son.c both lines. Direct Communication Between the Eastern and Western Suburbs. "The Commission had under iU c-ou-sidcnilion proposals .submitted by tlic town-planning department for the whlcuiiia and extension of Buckle street westwards to Willis street to . connect wjtli Vro street, and is of opinion that lor the purpose of providing direct means of communication from-the eastern to the western suburbs, or vice versa, tins route would provide an inter-communica-ting link having the' advantage of avoiding the necessity for through traffic passing along the more congested portions ot the city. Such a through route would also provide a better distribution ot tratiiu to and from the To Aro Flat area. As, however, this is not a part of the main question, the Commission has had no estimates prepared for this scheme. At the same time the Commission is of opinion that the provision of a direct-route between the pastern and western suburbs would present distinct advantages, and would recommend thlit steps be taken to acquire the necessary land so that t ho work can be carried out as soon as the necessity arises. THE RECOMMENDATIONS. "After a most careful review and investigation of the whole of the proposals already outlined, the Commission desires to recommend the following progressive scheme of development as the best means of" giving access to the western suburbs for tramway and vehicular services:— (1) Construction of a road, having a formation 49ft (fin wide, from the head ol" limvra street, through private property ami the north-eastern portion of the Bolton Street Cemetery to Sydney - street, and thence to Tinakori road on a fiiade of lin IS. involving: (a) Uegiading of tlie upper portion ol liowen street. (b) Construction of it road from the head of Bowen sheet to Sydney street. (c) lvegiading the upper portion of

Sydney street to its junction with ■Unakori road. j (d) llegrading of Sydney street west to give a junction with the new thoroughfare. (2) The widening of Tinakori road from the junction of the new road to Glenmore road, the continuation of the widening of Glenmore road and Chaytor street to a minimum width of 49ft 6in to Karori Cemetery, so as to provide a double tramway track with sufficient clearance for vehicular traffic on each side of the tramway with at least one footpath, and the duplication of the ; existing^ tramway track from the city. (3) The acquisition of the Kelburn cable _ tramway for the purpose of instituting and co-ordinating through services by cable car and omnibus to Kelburn Extension, Taityille, Highbury, and other suburbs of high elevation not at present provided with any means of passenger transport, with a view to subsequently (when the present cable ear proves inadequate to meet the development in passenger traffic), duplicating the existing tramway or constructing a new cable tramway from Willis street to the present Kelburn terminus, the actual choice to be determined by the then existing conditions in the city itself. / « (4) The construction of a road 49ft Gin wide.from the junction of Durham street and Aro street, following generally the line of Norway street through a tunnel 500 feet in length to the Horse--shoe Bend at Glenmore road. This will provide for increased vehicular traffic from Te Aro Flat as' that district 4s opened up and developed, and can subsequently, if required, be used by a double line of tramway. The Commission does not, however, recommend the construction of a tramway via this route until the volume of traffic warrants it, as the Commission is of opinion that for some time passenger transport can be adequately provided by omnibus services. "As the Commission has been advised that the City Council has already undertaken the work outlined in recommendation No. 2 above, no plans or estimates in that connection are submitted with this report. , "The Commission recommends that the above works be proceeded with in the order named, . subject to the proviso named in connection with No. 3. WHAT THE PROPOSALS WILL COST. "The following is the estimated cost of the above proposals, no figures, however, being given for No. 2 for the reasons

stated, nor for the acquisition of the Kelburn cable tramway, or acquisition of properties in connection with its subsequent duplication or the construction of a how cable tramway:— £ No. I.—New road via Bowen street and Sydney street, including an allowance for property acquired and disturbed, but exclusive of tramway tracks .... 54,57 C Tramway tracks 13,380 68,256 Engineering and contingencies . 10,240 ■' ' 78,496 No 2.—See note above. No; 3.—Acquisition of Kelburn tramway (no figures given). Duplication of existing tramway for express services exclusive of property acquisition .. 90,000 Alternative construction of tramway from Willis street to Kelburn 125,000 No. 4—New route via Norway street to Horseshoe Bend, Glenmore road, including an allowance for property acquired and disturbed, but exclusive of I tramway tracks 99,042 Engineering and contingencies 14,940 £114.588 / t "The Commission, in conclusion, desires to place on record its appreciation of the assistance rendered by the City Engineer's staff in the preparation of plans and estimates, and also by the City Valuer for information in connection with property valuations. The Commission also desires to express its thanks for the efficient services of the secretary to the Commission, Mr. A. Sutherland."