The Manawatu Daily Times MONDAY, MAY 25, 1936. Unrestricted Car Parking

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 122, 25 May 1936, Page 6

The Manawatu Daily Times MONDAY, MAY 25, 1936. Unrestricted Car Parking

Tlic parking ot‘ motor vehicles in Palmerston North, has become a very real problem despite the truly lavish spaciousness of the city’s street areas. At a most representative gathering, convened by the Munawatu Automobile Association, a resolution was passed favouring unrestricted parking. A deputation, representing city business and other interests, w.’il to-night wait upon the City Council urging that the by-laws bo amended in this direction.

The thanks of the community are due to the Automobile Association for the comprehensive and valuable report that that body had drawn up to delimit and clarify the problem. A most important conclusion from that report is “with regard to the demands of the shopping public and visiting motorists,. a preliminary survey by the association indicates that provision for parking other than that available on the main thorough lares is essential.”

At present 30-ininutc parking is in force over a considerable portion of the business area. It is considered that is too short a period to allow' people to transact their business before returning to move their cars.

The suggestion was made then made that the time bo extended to two hours. The meeting that considered the problem last Friday evening has gone far beyond this by deciding in favour of unrestricted parking. This is indeed a drastic proposal ! '

Its adoption would make possible the day-long occupancy of many of the most required parking areas. Unless a very high degree of public-spiritedness is displayed by the business people they are liable to be the chief offenders in this regard. The habit might grow of parking their cars outside their own offices and shops and leaving them there the whole day through.

An important feature of parking areas in busy sections of the city is to allow people to stand their cars for comparatively short periods so as to pick up parcels or transact business, and then move off. Unrestricted parking would not be of advantage to such people; indeed, there is grave risk that it would be to their distinct disadvantage.

At all times people should be allowed the maximum possible freedom in their goings and comings. That freedom must, however, be consistent with the general welfare. All virtues of unrestricted parking are so very liable to be outweighed by developments contrary to general public convenience that the proposal does not appear one to be recommended. Two hours' parking would allow ample time for people to shop "or transact business. There is no good reason why they should wish to occupy parking space with their cars in busy areas for a longer period. A two-hour period in busy areas and unrestricted parking on other areas should prove most suitable. Admittedly, the 30-minute period is too short .at any point.

The statement by the Automobile Association that parking areas beyond those provided by the main thoroughfares are essential raises a further problem—a problem that will become even more pressing with the continued growth of motor traffic.

An important principle is here involved. To what degree are the public authorities to be responsible for providing motorists with space upon which to leave their cars? In large cities overseas this problem has beOn met by private enterprise. Storage garages of several storeys, fitted with special lifts have been erected to provide parking space additional to that provided by public thoroughfares.

So long as it is reasonably possible, it is best that our city should be able to provide free parking. Foresight and enterprise will do much to prolong this free condition.