WATERFRONT ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 6

WATERFRONT ROAD

(VALUABLE ASSET TO CITY ACCESS TO LARGE DISTRICT FUTURt EXPANSION CERTAIN With the approach of summer the full benefits of the waterfront road, which was not completed for its entire length last summer, will be appreciated by the people of Auckland, and it is certain that the beaches to which access is now so easy by the marine drive will be more popular than eveiy Although the cost of the road was great, 1 Auckland can be held to be fortunate in possessing such a scenic asset, and one which is found in very few cities. For many years Wellington has possessed a road winding through the bays* skirting its harbour, and Aucklanders, realising the beauty of the Waitemata, have been envious.of the capital city in this respect. The waterfront road now provides a Eimilar drive, and one which gives even finer vistas of sea and land. Although there are pretty drives round some of Sydney's bays, there is no long promenade to compare with Auckland's road, while in San Francisco and "Rio de Janeiro,/ (wo other cities whose harbours are among their chief attractions, the only way in which to view the water is from the surrounding hills. Tourists and visitors from other centres have freely expressed their appreciation of the Auckland drive. Growth of Traffic That Aucklanders have not been slow to realist the value of the drive is shown by the growth of motor traffic along the road since it has been opened. I rom the first day it has carried thousands of cars every and holiday, while many people are to be seen strolling along the wide footpaths each fine Sunday. The distance from the city to Kohimarama gives a pleasant walk on the level, while at every berid and corner there is something new to delight the eye, the panorama of sea, beach and green slopes changing at every turn in the road. Probably the Sunday stroller has time for a greater appreciation of the varied scene than the motorist, although many drivers move 6lowly along and draw to a halt from time to time at the different points or bays. The road has brought the three beaches at St. Heljers, Kohimarama and Mission Bay within a very short distance of the city, and the saving of time is even greater than in distance. Points that were nine miles from the city are now only just six miles away, while the journey, may be made without delay, there being no points of traffic congestion along the whole route. As a result the beach and grassy reserve at Mission Bay have advanced remarkably in popularity, and now on a fine Saturday afternoon or Sunday the reserve behind the sand is covered •with motor-cars and tents, while picnickers gather under every tree. Large Area Made Accessible The two beaches at Kohimarama and St. Heliers are also more frequented than formerly, while the reserve across the road from the beach at St. Heliers is also of much greater value to the city with easier access. The formation of the road, far from adversely affecting the beaches, as was freely predicted when the proposal was first mooted, has improved their appearance, and the seaward footpaths form a neat promenade which is more Bightly than the former ragged slopes :where the sand terminated. The area lying behind the road from Orakei Point is a large one, and it will come as a surprise to many to learn that access has been provided to the city from in all about 2000 acres. A portion of this, lying back from the road toward St. John's College and the old main road, is about an equal distance from the city by the Remuera route, but many residents prefer to use the lower, level route, which is also commonly .used by residents of the portions of Remuera centred about the foot of Orakei and Upland Roads. The Orakei Suburb < The road is of great benefit to the ©rakei suburb, the greater portion of which has been roaded. It was for the sake Df providing convenient access to this block that the Government contributed a por- < tion of th 6 cost of the waterfront road. Already there has been considerable building on the estate, and had it not been for the present financial depression, it is certain that, a far greater portion of the block would bv now have been settled. However, the check will be only temporary, and the wisdom of providing a wide road capable of carrying a heavy volume of traffic will be realised when conditions return to normal and residential building resumes its ordinary course. In spite of the depression, there has been a steady growth of building at Mission Bay, and a greater proportion of permits has been issued for this district during the past few months, showing that building is likely to continue without interruption. With a return of confidence, the district is one that will show the greatest advance. Scope for Settlement There has been a growth of interest in Bt. Heliers and Kohimarama as residential suburbs, and several subdivisions have been made in both districts. One form of building activity which can be anticipated is the erection of blocks of flats in these areas. In Wellington, for instance, there are many blocks of modern flats along the waterfront in Oriental Bay, and now that St. Heliers and Kohimarama are within . almost as easy reach from the centre of the city, a similar development is likely there. _• '.* Provision for-further expansion along the waterfront route has been made by the City Council, and all the residential districts have been zoned for shop centres under the principles of town planning. Applications for permits for industrial buildings will require to come before the council town-planning committee. In order further to preserve the district as a residential area,, the building regulations applicable to such suburbs as Remuera and Epsom are enforced. Apart from the districts which are already settled or in process of settlement, there is a large area lying between Orakei, Mission Bay and St, John's College, which has not. yet been fully roaded, vacant, spaces exist beyond St. Hellers toward Tamaki. All these, when they have been subdivided, will be directly served by the waterfront road, and as the areas are sufficient, to carry many ' thousands of homes and are destined to be settled, the roadway will one day carry a volume of traffic as great as any other arterial thoroughf.i.re in Auckland.