MORE PARKING AREAS IN CITY URGED

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 175, 27 July 1935, Page 6

MORE PARKING AREAS IN CITY URGED

Making Provision for the Future

Believing that a survey of parking facilities in the city should be undertaken, with a view to provision for tho future, the Automobile Association (Manawatu) decided last night to ask the Palmerston North City Council to go into the matter.

Keplying to a recent request that il assist in tho direction of relieving pressure on tho parking space iu Broadway by clearing and levelling tho oid Catholic Church site, the City Council wrote advising that it was unable to comply, as it was of tho opinion that every facility for parking should be provided in public thoroughfares. In a letter to tho association Mr. L. H. Collinson suggested tho desirability of securing parking accommodation adjacent to the congested areas of the city. Bangitikei street, he said, was now one of the busiest parts, and with the erection of tho new Government Life block upon the corner of Queen street, the position would be accentuated. Ho suggested, therefore, that the section owned by tho Education Department iu Queen street, which was now being advertised for lease, was an area which should be secured immediately by the City Council for the pur pose.

In ten or 20 years, Mr. Collinson added, areas such as this would be invaluable to the growing needs of tho city. Facilities for parking for country clients was a tremendous assistance to a city. Wellington was undoubtedly suffering from the lack of suck accommodation, and Palmerston North, by providing it here, would be offering country residents a service which would be much appreciated. He felt that this was a matter of urgency and sincerely trusted that the association would make an immediate move.

“The reply by the City' Council to our request is disappointing and is out of touch with modern requirements,’’ commented the chairman (Mr. N. H. Mackie). He added that in 1930, when the City Council provided an excellent parking area next to the Club Hotel, the association had made a donation of £67 10s. Now, five years later, the council had turned down a request which would have necessitated the expenditure of only £4 or £5. Last Saturday night there had been 27 cars parked on tho site, and in tne Bci-vice officer’s report it would be seen that favourable expressions of opinion had been voiced concerning tho area. The parking problem was becoming a big one in the city. The service officer (Mr. V. Crichton) reported that the Auckland .City Council was making provision for more sites.

Mr. M. A. Eliott said the attitude of the Palmerston North City' Council seemed short-sighted. Thero were times when it was difficult to find room for cars in tho city, unless one went far away from the centre.

“The trouble is that motorists don’t want to wain into town,’’ commented the chairman, “but that does not get away liom tne fact that parking areas should bo provided in various parts.’• Mr. M. A Eliott said the City Council might say that it had spent £3OO on th) site in Cn.irch street and that motqr ists were not making proper use of it. Following further comment, it was decided that the matter of renewing representations m regard to tho Broadway parking area should be left in the hands of the chairman, and that the City Council should be written to m regard to the broader question of pro viding for tie future.