CAR PARKING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4220, 6 December 1939, Page 7

CAR PARKING

BOROUGH COUNCIL CONSIDERATION. ADVICE FROM AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. At the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening the Mayor (Mir G. Spinley) reported that at a conference of interested parties on the subject of car parking in Te Awamutu recommendations had been adopted in favour of acute angle parking in the business area of Alexandra, Sloane and Arawata Streets, and of parallel parking only in Market Street. At this stage the town clerk (Mr D. Bockett) read the following letter from the touring manager (Mr R. E. Champtaloup) of the Automobile Association (Auckland): — “ In reg_ard to the proposed alterations to parking by-laws in the borough, I would most earnestly recommend that pavement lines be provided for the .guidance of motorists. I .that there' is sftqte* controversy in regard tb'the merits of yellow and white, but my observations and inquiries overseas suggest that white is the most popular colour, but perhaps because it was the original colour and therefore copied universally. In most districts where yellow was used as a pavement marking I found that this was on account of the individual preference of the engineer concerned, although sometimes climatic conditions or other local factors had been taken into consideration. It was only this morning that I heard of an instance of a local motorist in Te Awamutu having been fined 10s for parking in a bus stop, this apparently occurring after the parking place had been changed. I therefore submit that, if new bylaws are passed, there will be greater observance if distinct markings are placed on the roadway. I also suggest that, in judging the effectiveness of any painting or road marking, the quantity of paint used in any particular locality should be taken into consideration. I am inclined to believe that in New Zealand we are very economical in regard to the quantity of paint we use, and this, in itself, may be one of the reasons why many of the New Zealand markings are not very distinctive. May I presume to submit a further suggestion ? I noticed on my return from overseas that Hamilton had erected bicycle stands on the sides of the main street. Overseas this is quite a common practice, and in some instances these stands were adjacent to an inter-section far enough back so as not to present any danger, and usually occupying the area normally taken up by the first parked car from the corner. This facility would probably overcome some of the difficulty that is so evident in many of the country towns w’here cyclists are common.”

It was stated that amending regulations affecting pedestrian crossings had recently been notified by Order-in-Council, and some of the new provisions affected Te Awamutu. They would come into effect on 21st December-

The Mayor commented that there was a tendency to ask for and provide too many pedestrian crossings. If all those crossings complied with the new regulations they would be too costly to maintain. After referring to the recommendations at the public meeting, Cr J. C. Montefiore gave notice to move to rescind the existing by-law (agreed to in February last) detailing provisions for parking in the business area and substituting therefor the provisions for thirty-degree parking throughout the business area, parallel parking outside the business area and in Market Street, shift two pedestrian crossings in Alexandra Street, and other details agreed upon at the public conference. ,Cr A. C. Brookes said he would like to debate one or two of the provisions, but was told that the motion could be discussed at a special meeting next Monday morning (11th December) . This was agreed to. Cr C. J. Spiers said he would like to see provision made in front of the Post Office for ears to stop, say, three minutes. That would enable motorists to do business in the Post Office without unfairly obstructing or monopolising the roadway.