FOR MOTOR TRAFFIC ONLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18341, 6 March 1923, Page 8

FOR MOTOR TRAFFIC ONLY.

BRITISH ROAD PROJECT. LONDON TO BIRMINGHAM. TO COST £6,500,000. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Received 2.10 p.m.) United Service. LONDON, March. i. The development of commercial motoring has reached a stage when those interested consider that ordinary roads are antiquated and that the only solution is to have their own roads, like the railways. Financiers have approached the Ministry for Transport with plans to build a motor- from London to Birmingham 50ft. wide, with no gradient over one in 40. It is proposed that there should be no speed limit on the road, and that any number of trailers should be permitted. It is estimated that the total cost for a 90-mile roadway, including bridges and the purchase of land and buildings, would be £6,500,000. The promoters believe that transport charges would be reduced by 25 to 30 per cent. A tax on tonnage would make the venture profitable. Only motor vehicles would be allowed on the road. Pedestrians particularly would be barred. Passenger vehicles would be welcomed, for H'hich a schedule speed of 30 to 50 miles .T.i hour would bo quite feasible. The scheme would be extended later to Manchester and Liverpool.