TRAMWAY BOARD’S PROPOSAL

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 7

TRAMWAY BOARD’S PROPOSAL

OPPOSED BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

A matter greatly concerning motorists, 6aid Mr P. R. Olimie at last night’s meeting of tho Autemobilo Council was tho Tramway Board’s proposed new lay out of the rails in Cathedral Square. It was proposed to mako a big loop with one lino of rails close to the Cathedral, and this would, enclose the space at present free to vehicular traffic.

Tho motor inspector, Mr Climie added, was very much against the board’s plan, as the Square wms dangerous enough at present, and traffic would be engulfed between converging lines of rails. It would be very dangerous r.o foot passengers, and especially to those awaiting'trams. An expression of opinion from tho association would assist in checking tho proposal. Mr G. S. M’Kellar said that the proposal was most dangerous, and it would bo better to leave things as they were. Mr F. D. Kesteven said that the new lay out would be chiefly dangerous to pedestrians. He asked whether the City Council had anything to do with tho matter. Mr Climjo said that tine council had practically no say at all, and the board could go ahead as soon as it got an Order-in-Council. The points at Barnett’s and Broadway’s were worn out, and would have to bo replaced at a cost of about £SOOO. No doubt the swinging across at the present points mennt considerable wear, but this was nothing compared with tho public safety. He moved that tho matter should be referred to tho Roads Committee to enter a protest against any plan in which tho rails in Cathedral Square were not kept parallel. Mr F. W. Johnston, said that iit. was a matter affecting all vehicular traffic and pedestrians. Tho thing had been obviated .in Oxford Terrace by widening so that there was room between the rail and the footpath for a- vehicle to pass. Mr Climio said that it was also proposed to duplicate the line behind tho Cathedral ait Warner's, which was dangerous enough as a singlo line. Mr Johnston said that the real principle involved was whether the highway authority, in this case the City Council, should have paramount powers in street control. He was strongly of opinion that it should. At present tho board had only to keep tho tramways in repair to its own satisfaction. Mr Climie said that the question had arisen as to who would maintain tho road between the linos. At present the board maintained eighteen inches outside tho linos. The motion was carried.