OUTLET FROM THE CITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 14

OUTLET FROM THE CITY.

I Belgium street project. kib t ; |1 BUSINESS MEN CONCERNED., I II OBJECTION TO MODIFICATION. jw i " . II! it. iFor the purpose of ascertaining the of the Auckland Transport Board on the proposed Belgium Street traffic •V outlet scheme an influential deputation "the City Central Progress waited upon the board yesterday l-niorning. I'' ;It is the intention of the delegation to y attend the next meeting of the City Counr cil to-morrow week to urge the immediate * prosecution of the project. In the meantime the league hopes to arm itself with i.the favourable opinion of the Transport [' Board. After hearing the deputation yes- :: terday the board expressed willingness to consider the points raised in time to give ; an answer before the council meets. "We who are interested in the important central business area of the city are feeling deep concern as to the future development of Queen Street's natural traffic outlet," said Mr. L. A. Eady, principal spokesman, yesterday. Interests of Heavy Traffic. The City Council had had under consideration for some years the question of extending Upper Queen Street through Belgium Street and Exmouth Street to relieve the serious traffic congestion at | Grafton Bridge and Symonds Street intersections. Financial reasons doubtless had prevented the project being completed. At present, said Mr. Eady, a definite decision was being forced upon the council by an application for a permit to erect a building on the western corner of Karangahape Road and Belgium Street. Although the proposed extension had been regarded as' of major importance and essential for the relief of Dominion Road, Sandringham and Mount Albert traffic, the interests he represented feared that the immediate economic conditions were influencing the council so to modify the scheme as to leave heavy traffic requirements out of consideration, "In view of the urgency of the application for the building a decision is likely to be reached by the council at its next meeting,*' Mr. Eady said. "This decision may stultify, or at least seriously prejudice, this most important proposal. ; Taking a long, view on transport and , . traffic generally, we believe such a decision •j would be opposed to the interests of 'Auckland as a whole." " , V ; Former Report on Proposed Outlet. v . Mr. Eady. recalled that the former city j ( ; engineer, Mr. W. E. Bush, had dealt very / fully with the proposed extension in a t report on February 13. 1929. He had distressed the necessity for widening feelvflgium Street by 24ft. to provide for tram tracks and to thrust a tunnel unfler j|;Karangahape Road from Queen Street. Mr. Bush, had pointed out that the advantages of the scheme were obvious. The jfrimprovement was one which would be beneficial. and would be inIncreasingly so as the population grew aucl jjStiaffic increased. J£ 'The manager of the Transport Board, fgMr. A. E. Ford, proceeded Mr. Eady, had • commented on Mr. Bush's report in April, .: ,1929. Mr. Ford had then stated that ja'the proposed outlet would result in » '• •reduction' of running miles amounting Ho .30,737 in a year. Si j With the opening qi the proposed deviation the time-table operating at that time , fjjo'n the Dominion Road, Mount Albert and r-Sandringham routes' could be maintained Siwith a saving of five cars, with' a ieViduction of £5717 in expenses. •! ~ Board to Go Into the Matter. Assuming that the City Council carried " out the work as planned by Mr. Bush,' Mr. Ford had recommended that the tram tracks should be carried over the deviation, that £IO,OOO should be paid by . the tramway system toward the cost cf piercing the tunnel to the width necessary for the tracks, with provision for landing stages and connecting stairways to Kara- > nghape Road, and that negotiations be / entered into with the «City Council on . that basis. ' "With impressive statements by two r authoritative experts, can you wonder that the important business section which we represent is seriously concerned at the prospect, of this arterial extension scheme being adversely affected ?" concluded Mr. Eady. The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, - gave his assurance that the board would give every consideration to the representations of the deputation. Some members of the board, however, were not acquainted with the details of the scheme and would require time to go fully into .'•the project. ,