TRAFFIC CONTROL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12548, 10 September 1926, Page 7

TRAFFIC CONTROL

AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS POLICE DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE THE PARKING PROBLEM With regard to the control of traffic in the city streets, the by-laws committee reported to last night’s meeting of the City Council that this matter had received attention, and authority was requested for permission to continue negotiations for the polite control of traffic at busy street intersections in the city. In referring to the congestion that existed in Lambton quay, Panama street, Grey street, and other portions of the city, Councillor B. G. Aston said it was impossible for their inspectors to cope with the stationary car question. -The committee had gone into the question, and had considered the matter of reducing the time for allowing cars to stand in the streets to four oi five minutes. They would have to increase the number of their inspectors, or find some other means of removing the cars. The matter was becoming a grave danger. Councillor F. Meadowcroft said that, owing to the converging of several streets at certain points, it was difficult for local residents even to determine when they were melting correct turnings. “It is high time we got a little booklet printed for tile guidance of motorists in cegard to those places. If it is so difficult for a resident of Wellington, and those who have been driving cars , for some considerable time, what must it be for strangers to our city?” he asked. MEASURE OF CONTROL The Mayor (Ur C. j. B. Norwood), stated that they had yet to decide the measure of control that the Police Department would exercise, and the measure of control that the conned would undertake In the circumstances, he thought it would he me, wise to deal with their traffic regulations at the present time. The first thing was to get a statement as to whether the traffic question rested with the council or the police. After the commissioner had been interviewed, and the Minister waa relieved of His Parliamentary duties, he would be able to report more fully on the subject. ’ • CouneiHor M. Luckio said the trouble of parking private oars waa going to increase in the narrow street* so long as the by-laws provided that the maximum time for cars to_ stand stationary remained at 10 minutee. Something would have to be done, but, with the ten minutes’ limit, there were’ many people who brought their cars into tine city and parked them temporarily in the side streets. While prosecutions- had been taken against offenders of the regulations, there waa necessity for an increase in their staff of' inspectors. Touching mi the question of police control, he pointed out that at present it was ‘costing the Police Department £3OOO to carry out police control'in the city, while it was costing the council only £llOO. The commissioner had informed him that it was only natural to expect that tins state of things—where it was .costing the police department more for thoir point duty than they received—could not be allowed to continue. _ An endeavour was being -made to introduce uniform regulations in respect to traffic control by the polio® for various centres. Councillor Luekie_ stated that he had assured the commissioner that they desired the police to _ continue control if satisfactory term# in regard to the matter could be arranged.