GREAT UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME

Evening Star, Issue 21931, 18 January 1935, Page 7

GREAT UNEMPLOYMENT SCHEME

UHOERGROUND ROADS FOR LOKDON A stupendous scheme to solve the traffic problem in London is to be considered by the Government (says the ‘ Daily Express ’). The main idea is to build arterial roads deep down under London. They would radiate from the heart of London to the outskirts. The gigantic nature of the plans is shown by the fact that the estimated cost is £400,000,000, which would bo raised by Government loans.

.. The scheme has been carefully thought out by a group of influential industrialists, and has the backing ot great names in the commercial world. These names must, at the moment, remain secret. But those behind the idea are of sufficient standing to warrant that the scheme is given every possible consideration. From a central position in the city main roads would take a direct line out to the suburbs, emerging at points clear of traffic congestion. CIRCULAR ROADS. Three circular roads, it is proposed, should be constructed for intercommunication with the West End and other points in the inner circle of London. These circular roads would be equipped with parking bays, garages, and service stations.

Motorists would be expected to leave their motor cars underground and emerge into upper London by means of lifts.

The roads would be similar, on a giant scale, to the underground communications that link up the various streets around Piccadilly Circus. Entrances and exits for cars to and from lower London would be placed only on the outskirts of London. The suburban motorist would drive underground at, say, Barnes Common,' and if he were going right into the city he would leave his car in,, a bay or garage near the Bank. If he were going shopping in the West End he would drive along the arterial road, proceed as far as one of the circular roads, and take this road until he reached a point nearest the place where he wished to shop. EASY PARKING. This vast new underground London would not only relieve the traffic problem, but would, the experts say, also solve the parking problem. They say that the time has arrived when it is no longer of any use tinkering with the traffic problem in London. The surface of London is occupied to its utmost limit. We must either build underground or overground. It is estimated that the underground roads, with their parking bays, their shelters, and their garages would provide, too, bomb-proof shelter for the entire population of London.

The new underground city would be adequately ventilated.

TEN YEARS’ WORK.

Machinery would be installed to suck out the dangerous carbon-monoside fumes and pump in fresh air. If sufficient labour were provided it would take some ten years to complete the scheme. For the first five years it is suggested that 250,000 men should be employed. The underground arterial roads would-be limited to private motor cars and fast goods traffic. They would not be for the use of omnibuses. But they would help to speed up considerably all forms of public transport. They would also make the roads of London much safer, as they would relieve congestion. There would be a certain amount of financial return in charges for garaging, parking, and servicing. The possibility of charging a toll for the use of the roads is being considered.