“Most Beautiful Road In the World”

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7169, 17 March 1930, Page 5

“Most Beautiful Road In the World”

FROM NICE TO CANNES. NICE. The French Government has decided to build what the local papers describe as “The most beautiful road in the world.” It will run,close to the sea* shore between Nice and Cannes, and thus form a continuation of the famous Corniche which connects Nice with Menton. The new road will be 33 meters wide, of which 19 meters will be used by the general traffic, thus enabling four motor cars to drive abreast in either direction, 4 meters are reserved for horseback riding, 4 meters for cyclists and 4 for pedestrians.

This important undertaking, on which preliminary work has already been started, will meet a very urgent need of the local residents. The traffic on the road between Nice and Cannes is so considerable and is so much hampered by the rails of the tramlines which occupy part of the road, that it often takes a motorist from three to fours hours to drive from Cannes to Nice, whereas under normal conditions this short distance could bo covered in less than one hour. Incidentally the new road will open up for building purposes the very valuable sites along the shore, which at present are too distant from existing thoroughfares.

It has been decided in connection with this scheme to increase the width of the Promenade des Anglais, which forms the natural link between the new road and the Corniche. For this purpose the beach is to be raised to the level of the Promenade. When this work is finished, the space used by the general traffic will be. twice as,large as at present, and the fine old palm trees which now border the sidewalk will serve as division for the vehicles driving in the two opposite directions.