RACE TRAFFIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 24, 28 December 1925, Page 6

RACE TRAFFIC

CONGESTION AT COURSE. NO IMMEDIATE REMEDY. • With each succeeding year the motor car is becoming an increasingly popular means of transport and, of the thousands who attended the Awapuni racecourse on Saturday, the greater percentage found their way to and from the course by such means. As a result tho handling of the traffic was a serious problem, and delays resulted, a large number on tho outward journey who had left town with, as they thought, a sufficient margin, of time, finding themselves held up in the queue with the result that they arrived at their destination too late to witness the first race. A still greater task faced tho Racing Club’s staff on tho return journey for tho hundreds of cars converged in steady streams on the main roadway from all directions and some occupants suffered the misfortune to bo delayed for fully half an hour.

“NEVER BETTER CONTROLLED.” “The traffic to and from the course on Saturday was never better controlled,” said Mr J. M. Johnston, secretary of the Manawatu Racing Club, when approached this morning by a reporter. He admitted that there had been some delays but they had been caused in part by taxis rushing matters. Tho Racing Club had set up a special committee to endeavour to secure the best form of traffic control and the police had co-operated in efficient fashion. “The difficulty,” he stated, “is that we are in a bottleneck and the position as regards motor traffic cannot be materially remedied until we have some other avenues open to our use.

“The club at the present time is waiting on the Railway Department to see when it is going to effect tho deviation, for then traffic will bo taken out along Foxton line.” The club committee, Mr Johnston assured the reporter, would do its best, but the police insisted on there being one route down and ono out from the ctorse, and rightly so, too, in the present circumstances. On one previous occasion cross traffic had been tried but it only mado for confusion and was quite undesirable. Tho gate and ticket boxes had been altered to improve matters and Mr W. I. Lovelock had allowed a section of the traffic to cross his property to lessen tho delay. Ho could see no way to immediately improve the position. THE POLICE VIEWPOINT. The Inspector of Police (Mr J. K. Simpson) when approached, expressed mueii the same view—that there was no immediate remedy. One of the factors responsible for the congestion of motor traffic on Saturday, ho said, was the desire of motorists to all arrive at the course about the same time. There was, too, the waiting time created by the issue of admission tickets to the occupants of motors. The number of cars at the course had been immense. They came not only from this district but"from Wellington, Napier, Wanganui and many other outside centres. Inspector Simpson suggested that the position might be improved when the club mado an entrance closer to the course, with facilities for motorists to drive up to tho main gate, drop their passengers there,;, and continue straight on again to another exit, instead of having to swing round at the main gate as is the case at present. A new entrance at the bottom of College street would, he thought, improve matters, and the future had to be considered. Motor traffic was growing apace year after year, and it had to be borne in mind that, when the railway deviation was effected, practically all the traffic to the course would be by motors. “Nevertheless, on Saturday, the motoring public were very patient,” lie stated. “Occasionally the taxi drivers, held up in the "traffic stream and anxious to get back, would go a little over tho limit and rush matters, while in other cases their fares, taking the hint, would get out and walk perhaps half a mile, rather than further delay tho car.” There were twelve constables and two police sergeants at the course, the inspector stated, and the greater proportion of them assisted in the control of traffic, while tho Borough Council had men stationed at various points. It was pleasing to note, he stated in conclusion, that there were no accidents. A SUGGESTION. It has been suggested that the delay might in part be obviated by opening in town, say at the office of the Racing Club, a ticket box where racegoers might secure their admission ticket* U.me leaving for Awapuni.