EASTERN SUBURBS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11653, 18 October 1923, Page 3

EASTERN SUBURBS

THE NEW TUNNEL ATTITUDE OF HAT AIT AI ELECTORS ASSOCIATION. ROUTE AND SIZE CRITICISED. (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —It having boon brought under the notice of my association that the impression exists in various quarters that we are qute satisfied with the proposed Ellice street route ior the new Eastern Suburbs’ tunnel, I have been directed to solicit the favour of your space for the publication of the following letter, which was cent to the Town Clerk on the IBtli ult. ALTERNATIVE SCHEMES.

“On behalf of this association I am directed to express appreciation of the opportunity afforded my executive to examine the alternative schemes for the proposed Eastern Suburbs’ tunnel. We must, at the outset, express our disappointment that some effort was not made by the city engineers to carry out all or part of our suggestions relating to the Elizabeth streetRixon Grove route. It was quite obvious from the plan submitted that this route received little consideration. Referring to the other plan submitted, i.e. Ellice street route, the success of this route entirely depends on the construction of the east to west proposed arterial roads, and on the present and future centre of the city, as reported by your experts, being in the vicinity of Sussex Square and not Courtenay Place. Unless the council are fcuro that these developments will accrue on the lines anticipated, then we suggest that a fuller investigation should he made of the Elizabeth street route.

LARGER TUNNEL REQUIRED. “Apart from the question of route, we strongly urge upon your committee and council the necessity for planning a much larger tunnel than is provided in the Ellice street proposal—which makes no provision whatever for the Acting City Engineer’s anticipated heavy vehicular traffic. For instance, there is no roadway provided other than on the two way tramlines. This is dangerous in many ways, particularly in a tunnel where a side walk is provided for pedestrians, and we reFpectfully submit that the tunnel as designed will be inadequate, obsolete and out of date from the day it is opened. VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.

“We would take the opportunity o* pointing out to you that the whole of the Eastern Suburbs residents have iepeatedly stressed the urgent necessity of a moro direct route for vehicular traffic,, and it appears that your plan subordinates this to the requirements of the tramways. During the interview referred to, the reply we got to our question as to the cost of the El lice street scheme was that it is under the estimated amount placed on the schedule, may we again ask what the estimate is, for whilst we do not advocate the expenditure of any more than is necessary, we consider that as you have authority to spend, approximately. £167,000 to provide *this highway, tnat you should not attempt to reduce this amount by not providing adequately for the future in regard to vehicular traffic. After the careful consideration of my executive, we earnestly submit the foregoing to your favourable consideration, and if necessary suggest that the full council be made aware of our comments.” THE ESTIMATED COST.

It will be noted that a question was asked as to what the cost of the proposed tunnel will be, but to date this information is not vouchsafed, and naturally citizens are wondering why this essential fact is withheld.

The council has replied in a delight fully vague manner to the effect that the cost of a wider tunnel would be excessive and prohibitive, but we join issue on that detail and when the desired estimate is afforded believe we can successfully rebut this fallacy In any case the communication above quoted indicates our personal convictions on this important city transit question and I may add that it was unanimously endorsed by a fully representative conference of Eastern Suburbs Ratepayers’ Association, held last week under the auspices of the Eastern Suburbs Citizens League. H. R. SEARLE., Hon. Sec. Hataitai Municipal Electois’ Association,