CATERING FOR TRAFFIC

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1935, Page 4

CATERING FOR TRAFFIC

GILL STREET PROBLEM EFFECT OF NEW POST OFFICE. COURSE FOR THROUGH TRAFFIC. PROPOSED ROAD DEVIATION. The prospect of increased traffic congestion in the vicinity of Brougham, Gill and St. Aubyn Streets intersection should a new post office be erected at the intersection of Gill and Currie Streets has brought to the fore proposals for the simplifying of the roading in that area. Although a scheme has been considered by the New Plymouth Borough Council the matter has not yet been finally dealt with Although buildings already erected restrict Brougham and Currie; Streets from attaining the full chain width desirable in all modem thoroughfares, the proposed scheme, which is governed largely by questions of finance, provides first of all for the widening of Brougham Street on the western side to the full distance when the buildings on that side are rebuilt. Gill Street east of the intersection with Currie Street is the correct width, but the position of the bridge over the Huatoki necessitates 45 degree turns first to the right and then to the left for the motorist going west, before making another oblique turn into St Aubyn Street. It is proposed to simplify the course of traffic by widening the bridge to enable Gill Street to continue in a straight line into Ariki Street, which will provide a large triangular space in place of the present narrow road. When this is brought about Devon Street will be relieved of northward traffic from the breakwater and west end of the town, and Brougham Street will give way to the new “square as the terminal for the borough bus services. Widening operations are at present in progress in Egmont Street, and if Brougham Street on the seaward side of Devon Street is treated similarly two easy outlets to the improved thoroughfare will exist to relieve still further the traffic in Devon Street. The complete straightening of GiU Street will not be possible until Burgess, Fraser’s building, when replaced, is set back sqme feet. The provision of a wide area, at the intersection would possibly obviate the necessity for the widening of Currie Street north, although all the buildings on the eastern side are of old wooden construction. Any widening of that thoroughfare would result in “a bottleneck” effect on part of Currie Street between Devon and Powderham Streets that is the main outlet to Vogeltown. Widening in that section is not possible because of the erection of substantial modern buildings to the street line on either side. In any case the provision of modern facilities of access in Gill Street would possibly obviate the need to widen Currie Street. The difficulties in the way of a comprehensive scheme of improvement are chiefly those of finance, and it is considered unlikely that any such projects as outlined will be undertaken except sectionally.