In the Maze of London Traffic

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22723, 8 May 1937, Page 5 (Supplement)

In the Maze of London Traffic

A New Zealander At The Metropolis

By CAIRNSMUIR

I N this mechanical age one would not expect to see many horses in the London streets, yet it is surprising how many there are all over the city. They are usually well-groomed and in good condition, with their coats nicely trimmed. Sometimes, it is true, the cart-horses have loads too great for them, and I have seen them making heavy work on the wet, slippery roads; but a "trade" horse always stands at Hyde Park Corner to assist horses in difficulties. There seems to be a preponderance of white and grey horses, so that the superstitious, who think it lucky to count a certain number of white horses, would soon get their total. In a traffic "jam" a horse-drawn vehicle is invariably to be found lined up awaiting the green Belisha signal " Go." One would expect the horses to be thoroughly frightened by the juxtaposition of motor-cars and huge omnibuses, as well as by the incessant noises, but they look quite undismayed throughout. The horses used by the mounted police, which will be much in evidence during Coronation week, are very special animals; they are so beautiful and seem to enjoy the different pageant parades, turning I easily at the right moment, and stepping out jauntily with the bands. They seem almost human in their intelligence. Traffic is always a problem in the London streets. Visitors, who are mostly leisurely folk, seldom mind the long waits at the frequent " hold-ups," as opportunity is then given to study the neighbouring shops and buildings in detail. But woe betide one if ample time has not been allowed, for instance, for reaching a station to catch a certain train in another part of the metropolis. The time taken to cross London can be a very uncertain factor except on a Sunday, when there is comparatively little traffic in the main thoroughfares. From Victoria to Liverpool is on Sundays a twenty-minute run, but during the week in the busy hours with frequent traffic blocks, twice that time would be necessary. The Belisha beacons with their three signs, Red for " Stop," Yellow for warning of a change, and Green for " Go," are a feature of the London streets. I heard one old bus conductor

f ""] : A bachelor is the fault of a woman. : J •—Sam Mentz. : • i

say that they were a cause of more accidents as there was usually a rush to get across while the Green signal, "Go," was operating. I think, though, that he was just having a grumble, much as our New Zealand farmers do at conditions—more from custom than conviction ! At intervals along the pavements there are posts painted in alternate bands of black and white and surmounted by large orange globes. These direct pedestrians where it is most expedient to cross, and from these points there are direction paths across the road, consisting of lines of shiny steel square studs That does not mean that at any time pedestrians can cross the street with impunity, but merely that at intervals these are the safest spots and wdl lead to convenient islands in the centre of the streets. Oft-times a policeman stops the traffic and shepherds a flock of people across the street. "It is quite a pretty picture really and brings home to one the protective function of our guardians of the law. The traffic is extraordinarily well regulated, and it is amazing how the buses and motor-cars thread their way through areas which look impossible of exit. The taxis will take any amount of luggage, and big trunks, too, for they can carry a great deal on a special platform "on the front of the car. They turn in the narrowest parts, and so on guard is every driver that seldom is there any justification for bad language to intersecting traffic drivers. The street-sweepers are continually at work keeping the streets tidy and at night all the streets are systematically swept free of rubbish. It is the rarest thing to see even a stray bit of paper. I often wonder where all the bus tickets go, for not everyone remembers to be tidy and place the used tickets in the box at the rear of the bus. At night itinerant coffee-stalls take up particular stands, as at Hyde Park Corner. From these stalls steaming hot coffee, buns and sandwiches can be bought, and it is interesting to see passers-by casually standing round the stalls partaking of refreshment.