CARRIERS’ PARKING PROBLEMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23196, 7 March 1950, Page 4

CARRIERS’ PARKING PROBLEMS

Sir, —Your correspondent “Motorist” is obviously not familiar with parking problems from the carriers’ angle. A

truck driver may have deliveries, each weighing over one hundredweight, to make to four or five shops in one block. Imagine the congestion on the footpaths, if he were forced to park any distance away and had to trundle his load through crowds of shoppers and prams. To say that motorists have to wait the pleasure of drivers is ridiculous. A driver is only allowed five minutes’ parking time, and in most cases completes his delivery in much less than this. What does “Motorist” think that the driver is doing. Taking a leisurely afternoon tea with the shopkeeper? Any Gladstone Road businessman will tell you that the drivers make their deliveries and get out of the shops as quickly as possible. "Motorist” suggests that if trucks are allowed to park broadside in the street, so should private cars. To any thinking person, the business of the two can hardly be compared, so I will not trouble to argue on that point. A driver does not enjoy parking out in the street and if there was a reasonable way out of it he would take it. However, in the circumstances, there is no other way. unless, of course, “Motorist” would care to leave his car in a side-street, thus leaving parking room in the main street for those whose business is more urgent. It would be far more simple for him to carry his odds and ends of parcels along the footpath than it would be for a truck-driver to work his away along with his hand trolley. TOWN CARRIER.