The MOTOR

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 75, 29 March 1930, Page 27

The MOTOR

BY "AUTOS." tf

PROPOSED SPEEDWAY

THE WASH PROSPECTS

NO SERIOUS OBJECTIONS

"he application of the Automobile Eacing Association, Ltd., to construct a motor speedway between Boston and Skegncss, along tho foreshore of the Wash, in Lincolnshire, was inquired into by the Board of Trade, the proceedings being held in the County Hall, Boston. Captain V. R. Brandon, 8.N., conducted the inquiry.

.' The association was represented by Mr. ..G. L. Dv Cann, barrister, London, who outlined the scheme, which is to provide a main speedway from 12-15 miles' long and 200 yards wide, in a straight line and perfectly Hat, the track being of concrete. Down the centre would be a roadway 100 ft wide, with return loop roads about 5 miles long'and u'Oft wide.' .Access to the.sea would be provided at suitable intervals by means of'gateways. Along four miles of the speedway would be a spectators' stand, 30ft wide, which would be in the form of a raised and partially roofed-in platform. Tho track would be protected from the tide by a huge sea wall. Mr. Dv Cann said for a long time past efforts had been made, but unsuccessfully, to secure such a track as this. The one now proposed would meet all requirements. Local authorities and private owners who had put forward objections had not done so in opposition to tho scheme," but to preserve thoir rights on the foreshore in'the matter of drainage,, etc.,-'arid.'the' promoters believed they would be able to meet those objections, satisfactorily. Earl Howe gave evidence on" behalf

•I of-'the ■■association, and. -also as president of the; Marino Motor Association. He sail! 2000 men would be employed if the. scheme were carried out, and work'avouH'last for t\vo years. Capt. Malcolm Campbell said ho had been searching-all over the country for a Suitable speed track,- and ho was satisfied the one proposed would meet all recjuireniijjits. In-fact it would bo the niost"'ideal track in the world, and make this Lincolnshire district the Mecca 'for all speed events. Foreigners who wished to compete in the world's racing would have to come over-hero in order to do so. He was convinced of the practicability of the scheme. Captain Woolf Barnato, another director of the-Automobile. Racing Association, said there was no place at present where motor manufacturers could test out their products, and' from that point of view the project was most desirable. A racing track like this would also help towards roadworthiness. ■The1 inspector" intimated that the Board of Trade Was carefully watching the interests, of drainage boards and other parties. .. The view of the board was-that having elected to proceed oh a 'non-statutory basis, the promoters must come to terms with the people affected by the scheme. If they were unable to do so, then tho board would have to consider whether the outstanding objections would prevent -them--from- giving their consent. If there was -any doubt about the matter, the promoters would bo told, they must go to Parliament in order to obtain powers* to carry the scheme through. Any unreasonable objections, however, would-be overruled, and" the objectors must have recourse to law in the ordinary way.

■: Evidencel ■•in support was given by ■the-' .'Hollanil- .(Lincolnshire) County Council, the Mayor of Boston for tho Borough. Council/and: the Skcgness UrTian" Council, and" others. There was

very littlo serious opposition, and the inspector will report in due course. The inquiry lasted most of tho day. ] The scheme of the Automobile Racing Association also provides, in addition to a motor speedway and racing track, for a motor boat waterway (and drainage canal) in front of tho spectators' stand, about one mile long ;md| 300 ft wide. The sea bank, 15-} miles j long, will enclose these works, and an | area of foreshore of. about 10,000 acres, j Certain land would be reserved for aerodromes, landing stages, and other works. A rough estimate of'the approximate cost is from three to four million pounds. Trade experts in the United States' profess to expect some amelioration of traffic.congestion by the general use of small cars in place of the larger typos so generally in use there now. It should lead, they say, to from 20 to 25 per cent, more street space being available. Those of opposite opinions, however, consider that as more space became available thousands of owners who do not motor into cities now because of congestion and the difficulty of finding parking space, would lise their cars. Other suggestions for solving the American city traffic problem include, the provision of wider and clearer thoroughfares, and tho distribution of business centres over a greater area. Drivers are sometimes dissatisfied with the performance) of their cars after an overhaul or decarbonising treatment. They do not get the same power or-ac-celeration as before. Tho reason is that no engine will give its best until the rings of the pistons have settled to work closely on tlie cylinder walls, and the valves have become bedded down on their seats. Also many engines give bettor power after there is a certain amount of carbon deposit on tho walls and piston head. Let things settle down for about a couple of hundred miles and then adjust the valve tappets to get close and uniform clearance. It will then usually be found that the original efficiency has been regained. I

It lias been docidecl by ■the Birmingham City Council to form v Traffiij Coil trol Committee with a view to improv ijig traffic facilities. .