EXHIBITION DRIVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 92, 20 April 1939, Page 22

EXHIBITION DRIVE

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I have been following "Motorist's" letters with great interest since he introduced this subject. I feel that his suggestion deserves far more support than apparently he has been accorded. The fact that the council has decided to seal the route is evidence that this body realises that.the route is going to transform itself during the Exhibition period from a main access to Houghton Valley into an access route to the Exhibition. We will notj solve our Exhibition traffic problems by concentrating on established routes. These routes at rush hours are already packed almost to capacity, Wellington East tunnel is a good example of this. No, we are backing the wrong horse. Our money should be invested in the construction of a driveway through a relatively undeveloped suburb carrying very little traffic ordinarily, but having regard always to the future of the driveway after the Exhibition has closed. I have never seen this point mentioned during the recent discussion on Exhibition traffic problems, although to me it is so patent that one wonders why it has not been mentioned. We have constructed new streets within developed areas, streets which will be of doubtful value either during or after the Exhibition. Were the money utilised, for the reconstruction of the Melrose drive then to my mind the money would have been well spent. "Motorist" has told us all the advantages of this route and he has evidently studied it closely. I would like to draw attention to the fact that the large areas of land available could be developed and this driveway would be a paying proposition for the city when increased rates over years are considered. It would seem that when we talk about access to the Exhibition we must talk only of access through developed areas and any other idea is not palatable. It is time we did a little hard thinking and got back to fundamental principles. May I repeat: "We will not solve the Exhibition traffic problems until we consider! a route through an undeveloped sub-! urb carrying little traffic." "Motorist's" | route via Hornsey, View, and Hungerford Roads certainly seems *to be the solution as it will also assist in a more balanced distribution of traffic at the Exhibition. His other suggestions re tree planting, white safety rails, and; pavements are all necessary. I wish to support wholeheartedly the suggestion that the Housing Department concentrate on thesp slopes. So far it has considered buying expensive market gardens, and thus depriving men of their businesses, when there are hundreds of acres of quite good building land to be obtained at reasonable cost on the eastern slopes of Lyall Bay. Is this portion to be the Cinderella of Wellington whilst the Hutt flat is enlarged? Wouldn't it be better to spend something trying to improve thu look of these slopes in preparation for the Exhibition? After all w« must remember that while the Hutt can only be seen from an aeroplane, the Melrose slopes are seen both from the Exhibition and the entrance to the Heads. Before we go any further would it not be an excellent idea to make sure that we are not building on sand (with apologies to the Exhibition building) and at least get our transport . and housing problem based on a solid foundation of fundamental principles?—l am, etc.,

BILL. DOSER,