A CITY PLANNING ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 121, 25 May 1933, Page 10

A CITY PLANNING ISSUE

After almost interminable investigation and negotiation between the Fife Board and the City Council the search for a site for a new fire brigade station has now been reduced to a question of the respective merits of two localities: the Education Board property at Clyde Quay and the adjacent municipal property, known generally as the destructor site. The Mayor, in a considered statement today, meets objections which have been raised to the Corporation site. In so far as they bear on the earthquake risk the issue is one for experts —geologists and engineers—and it is sufficient to say that information has been made available regarding both the sites and modern structural practice- to guard against earthquake damage to enable this question to be determined finally. On the question of site suitability for fire-fighting purposes also there lias been exhaustive investigation. The final points which may determine the choice relate to cost and the relationship of the new station to future works in this area. It has for long'been apparent that the Corporation property cannot remain in its present state indefinitely. There must be development, including the extension qf Cable Street, and the better use of a valuable area of land. This development would lie expedited by the transfer of part of the area to the Fire Board. A fire station would fit in with projected and necessary development, and that development would also make the site most convenient, from the traffic viewpoint; for the work of the fire brigade. Further, the cost would be less to the Fire Board (and to the citizens who find the fund's), and the purchase, money would be available for civic development, particularly in the area affected. In considering the question, due weight should be given by both council and board to these considerations. The work done now will stand for perhaps half a century, and it is essential that it should be planned with full regard for the city of the future. . _^^_^__