TRAFFIC CONTROL

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 7 January 1930, Page 7

TRAFFIC CONTROL

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

SUGGESTED RESTRICTIONS SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS.

The sucro-estion recently advanced by the “Hawera Star” that, in future years High Street should be closed to motorists between Princes Street and Victoria Street on both Christmas and New Year ;s Eve has met with, the support of a number of town business men who were interviewed on the matter, and opinions we he expressed that i would be in the interests of public safety to do so. . . .. The “Stars” opinion was tnaw n would be a wise precaution to support with municipal authority the .unwritten by-law” that pedestrians should have the rights, to the whole of the streets on the two evenings Many motorists, by courtesy, observed the council’s request to keep clear <>l High Street, but there were occasions when the progress of cars through the crowds caused considerable inconvenience and, became at times, a potential danger to the pedestrians. The Mayor (Air E. A. Paeey) thought that motorists liad vofy satisfactorily considered Gto council’s, request that they should keep out of Hugh Street between certain hours, and on Christinas Eve he bad not observed any untoward incidents. Air Pacey doubted ll it would be wise to make it mandatory for anv portions, of the roads to be closed to motorists on either Christmas Eve or New Year’s E!ve. but was. of the opinion that motorists would obsei v t every courtesy towards pedestrians on those occasions, and would, il requested, leave High Street clear for foot traffic. However, if found necessary the council could restrict the areas lor moto.IS 'The opinion that the “Star's” suggestion was very sound and! worthy of adoption was advanced by Mr W . G. Simpson. He did not tnink that an.\ motorist would find it a hardship to have the area mentioned closed to vehicular traffic from 7 p.m. With the crowded streets on the occasions, there would always be n danger if cars were allowed along High Street on. the two evening, s*. and it would add to the security and freedom of the ]>edestrians if they knew tjhat| no vehicular traffic would be encountered. The whole of High Street should be conserved for pedestrians on Christinas and New Year’s Five, and he, as a councillor, would be in favour of a special resolution or by-law to deal with the matter. That the suggestion would make for creator safety of the public was the opinion of Air L. A. Bone, who thought it a sound idea to restrict the. area to pedestrians only on the nights, mentioned. Mr. E. Dixon, whose business premises are also situated within the area suggested to be closed to motor traffic for specified periods on Christinas Eve and New Year’s Eve, expressed his firm belief that such action would be a step in the right direction. ‘ - lt is true,” said Air- .Dixon, ‘ "that considerable business is transacted in High Street oil these two nights, hut its volume should not in any appreciable degree be lessened by banning motor cars in the area extending from Princes Street to Victoria Street. ’ Enforcement of such a prohibition, of course, lie's solely within the province of the Borough Council, and Air. Dixon is ol opinion that the step sliould. oe taken if only in the interests of pedestrians, who are practically loreed to use the roadway in consequence pi congestion of traffic on both footpaths. During his eight years’ tenure of the Alayoral chair motor traffic in Haueia on special occasions, though considerable, had not attained to its present volume and the council was not besought to adopt a system of hard and fast control, but Air. Dixon thinks that under existing conditions the council should not, in the interests ol both pedestrians and motorists, hesitate, in the matter. Business should not suffer, he said, and lie foresaw little opposition from motorists, to whom lie paid the compliment of broad-mindedness and good-natured acquiescence to the general desire for a minimum of danger and discomfort.

Asked for an expression oi opinion on the subject, Mr. B. C. Bennett, as representative of another business linn operating within the prescribed area, was emphatic in the belief that the prohibition of motor traffic on the lines suggested would serve the convenience and com fort of all and would not react to the disadvantage of shoppers or traders.

He was sufficiently optimistic to anticipate little or no opposition from motorists, and frankly stated that he, personally, would not think ot either driving or parking a car in High Street within certain houns on Christmas and New Year’s eves. Existing conditions, he held, were not fair to motorists or pedestrians, whose hearty co-operation in the matter should not be difficult of attainment.