ALBERT STREET OUTLET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19453, 8 October 1926, Page 12

ALBERT STREET OUTLET.

THE ABANDONED PROPOSAL.

RECONSIDERATION PROMISED. GROWING TRAFFIC OF CITYThe proposal to extend Albert Street to provide a new traffic outlet from the city, which was recently abandoned by the City Council, is to bo reviewed by the Works Committeo of the council as a result of representations made by a deputation which waited 011 the" committee yesterday. The importance of this scheme, in view of the increaso in the traffic of the city, was emphasised by the deputation, for which Mr. W. J. Holdsworth spoke. An assurance was given by the committeo that the matter would again bo considered. This outlet scheme, by which Albert Street was to be extended through the property between Cook and Crey Streets to give an additional connection with Pitt Street, was considered by the council about two years ago. Albert Street has its southern terminal at Cook Street and the property in Cook Street directly opposite is vacant. This property, which would be required in the event of the extension being made, is about to be built upon and it was this fact that prompted the deputation to urgo the Works Committee to reconsider the position before tho building operations advanced too far. Tlio council had this information before it a week ago, when it decided to take no further action.

Tho original proposal under the extension scheme was to take Albert Street through the Grey Street gully with a wide sweep to the point where Vincent Street junctions with Pitt Street. There were no very great engineering difficulties in tho way and the property along the greater part of the proposed route was Vacant. There would have been a certain amount of filling required. Tho intentions of the council at that time may be gathered from tho fact that when Albert Street was being paved with concrete the centre of the roadway was left unpaved to facilitate tho laying of tram tracks.

It is an open secret that it was proposed to carry those tracks over tho now route to Pitt Street and thus relieve the other thoroughfares of some of the present traffic. It is also well understood that when tho bus competition became acuto the tramway authorities were unwilling to go on with the development of this outlet for the diversion of traffic and leavo Queen Street to be exploited by tbo buses. It was the desire of the ovvnors of the vacant section in Cook Street to build on their property that brought matters to a head some weeks ago, when the council decided not to take action.

An important matter introduced by the deputation which waited on tho Works Committee of the council yesterday dealt with tho widening of Albert Street. The sections' of this street between Wvndham and Victoria Streets and Victoria and Wellesley Streets are rendered narrow by the presence of a low level roadway on the eastern sido of the street. The high level road, on which provision has been made for tram tracks, is supported by concrete and masonry walls.- It was suggested by the deputation that in view of tho heavy traffic that the street will be called upon to carry the roadway should be widened either by filling or decking over the low-level roadway.