NEW TRAFFIC OUTLET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 12

NEW TRAFFIC OUTLET.

SCHEME FOR NEWMARKET.

RELIEVING CONGESTION.

ROAD PARALLEL TO BROADWAY COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS With a view to relieving traffic congestion in Broadway, Newmarket, the Borough Council has adopted a comprehensive scheme for another traffic outlet running parallel with and on the west side of Broadway. It is expected the scheme will be submitted to ratepayers at an early date. The scheme provides that the new road will branch off Broadway through the old Newmarket School site and will approach Morrow Street, through Mortimer Pass, in an easy curve. It will continue thence through Eden Street to Osborne Street, which it will absorb after widening, with the first outlet in Khyber Pass. It is further proposed to cut off the corner adjoining Khyber Pasß and Victoria Crescent, thus giving the new road a clear run through to Victoria Crescent and out through Parnell Traffic bound to and from Remuera will have no need to use the new road, as Remuera Road does not come within easy reach of it However, the everincreasing traffic bound to and from Epsom, Onehunga, and Great South Road, will find the new outlet an easier and quicker means of going to and from the city. Bounding-ofi of Corners. The scheme also provides for several other improvements to roads id the district. The corner adjoining Remuera Road and Broadway on the Epsom side will be rounded off; the corner adjoining Morrow Street and Gillies Avenue on the Eden Street side will also be rounded off; a run will be provided from Gillies Avenue into Station Street by cutting through the block of land at present necessitating a sharp corner; and the Crowhurst Street approaches to Khyber Pass will also be rounded off. It is considered the scheme will, cost the ratepayers practically nothing, because over IGOO new business frontages will be created. In addition, the opportunities of Newmarket to .expand as a business area will be vastly enhanced. Eden Street, which is now a blind street, will be placed within easy access of Broadway and Osborne Street will be considerably widened. For some years past the Borough Council has realised that a new traffic outlet would some day be needed. The districts beyond Broadway have grown rapidly and traffic is expanding every day. At present, Broadway is called upon to carry practically all the traffic running between the city and the outer areas. The consequence .is that congestion and delays are frequent. Clearing Path of Road. Interference with present buildings has been avoided as much as possible in preparing plans for the new road. The large workshop of Hardley'S, Ltd., will be cut in two and eight old houses between Morrow Street and Eden Street will have to be removed. It is stated they would have been done away.with in any case with the progress of the commercial areas of the district. The building occupied by the Johnson Tyre Service at the corner oi Khyber Pass Road and Victoria Crescent will also be pulled down to allow the road to continue through Khyber Pass to Victoria Crescent. An interesting development in the scheme is that Bourke Street, a blind road leading, oh Morrow Street, will have frontages to the new toad. In order further to simplify traffic problems, the council has submitted to the Auckland City Council a scheme waich will involve the alteration of tram tracks neai the Khyber Pass end of Broadway. At present the double set of tracks—one leading through Parnell and the othej- round into Khyber Pass—branch off abruptly. The ne\v scheme provides for wide curves, giving greater space to motor vehicles near a busy corner. Importance ol the Scheme. The scheme was discussed at a meeting of the Borough Council last evening and a committee, comprising the Mayor, Mr. S. Donaldson, Mr. G. E. Smerdon, Mr. John Hardley and Mr. H. Gregory, was set up to go into the question of cost with a view to submitting the proposal to ratepayers, v Referring to recent criticism, Mr. Smerdon said it would be as well to make tlfe scheme public to allay fears in the minds of the public, some of whom thought the council had gone to sleep. They realised their responsibilities and knew the scheme was a national matter and of national importance. People need have no fear that Newmarket was neglecting its responsibilities. Mr. Hardley said a new route was undoubtedly wanted and would take onethird of the present traffic from Broadway. The new road would be so situated that any traffic from Great South Road or Onehunga would be gravitated to it. They should do all they could to bring the scheme into reality as soon as possible. Looking to the Future. Mr. Gregory said there was a great deal of spade-work in all schemes, and in a scheme such as this they were making provision not only for the present, but also for the future. They had to be well satisfied they were planning on the right lines, which could not be done in a few weeks. On the recommendation of the Streets Committee, it was decided to frame a by-law setting back the building-line 66ft. from the eastern side of Osborne Street and 66ft. from the southern side of Morrow Street. This is in accordance with the proposal to make the new road 66ft. wide.