TRAM SHELTER SITES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 18 September 1929, Page 12

TRAM SHELTER SITES.

BUSY AND DANGEROUS SPOT.

TRAFFIC IN KHYBER PASS.

POST OFFICE PLAN DROPPED

Tim choice of location for a tram shelter at tho intersection of Khyber Pass and Mountain Roads is becoming a burning question for tho Auckland Transport Board. Tho Automobile Association recently suggested that tho tram stop at this point should bo removed further up Ivhybor Pass in order that motor traffic turning into Park Road might pursue its way without having to pull up at the compulsory tram stop. Tho City Council blocked this proposal, however, by refusing to permit tho erection of a shelter on its roserve, which was purchased and beautified in order to improvo the visibility for motorists coming down Mountain Road.

Wlion tho Transport Board, balked of its purpose, decided to retain the present stop and erect a sheltor in front of tho Lion Brewery a number of protests were received • from various quartors. At yesterday's meeting of the board, Mr. G. W. Sanders wrote: " The visibility of motorists coming down Mountain Road is vory bad at present, but it is being made still worse by tho erection of the shelter shed."

Tho manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, reported that the erection of tho shelter adjoining the brewery would not in any way affect the visibility of motorists coming down Mountain Road, as it would be set back somo 20ft. from the corner and would have sides of not more than 3ft. When tho stop was placed further up Khyber Pass many complaints were received from motorists using Mountain Road who found it very inconvenient if they wanted to turn up Khyber Pass. Opinions ol Members.

Mr. E. J. Pholan: I am inclined to think, after listening to tho views of the secretary of tho Auckland Automobile Association, that we aro making a mistake and that we should put tho stop and the shelter further up Ivhyber Pass. Tho chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said there were many pcoplo to be considered besides tho motorists.

Mr. J. Wood said that as things were at present motorists using Mountain Road could at least proceed straight on into Park Road without stopping.

Mr. M. J. Coylo suggested that the parties concerned should meet on the ground. It would bo an expensive matter to erect tho shelter and then find the site was inconvenient. Mr. Allum: We will not put the shelter up until this controversy is ended. Mr. G. Baildon said it was not reasonable to expect tho City Council to allow the shelter to go up in front of its reserve and so destroy the visibility obtained at the cost of somo hundreds of pounds.

Closing of the Discussion.

" I think we should take tho l#ad of tho Automobilo Association," said Mr. F. S. Morton. The present position was dangerous, he thought, because when a tram car moved out from tho stop motorists turning into Park Road had their vision of downward traffic obscured by the tram in front.

" It all boils down to this," said Mr. Allum, " that if wo talk for a year, it needs a traffic officer to make this place safe. My proposal is that a reply be sent to "Mr. Sanders in terms of the manager's report. Mr. Phelan: What is the position, then ? Is this final ? Mr. Allum: It is final for to-day. (Laughter.) Tho manager reported that ho had conferred with tho acting-city engineer, the chief postmaster and the district engineer to tho Public Works Department with referenco to tho proposal to erect a tram shelter in front of the Chief Post Office. Objection had been raised to the scheme on tho score of inovitablo congestion at tho entrance to the building in front of tho telophone booths and also interference with the vontilation of tho building. In view of these circumstances, and also the necessity of conserving tho architectural features of the building, they were of the opinion that tho erection of the shelter at tho proposed spot was impracticable. It was agreed to allow the matter to drop.