BAY VIADUCT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19156, 12 April 1932, Page 6

BAY VIADUCT.

TO BE OPENED FOR INWARD TRAFFIC. TRIAL DURING OFF SEASON By seven votes to three, the Timaru Borough Council last night decided “that the Caroline Bay viaduct be reopened for inward motor traffic only during the winter months, and that it be closed on October 1. 1932, and remain closed until April 1, 1933.” The report of the Omnibus Committee contained the following in regard to the Bay Viaduct : “Report of Traffic Inspector was considered, together with letters from the West and North End Associations. —Resolved to recommend that the Viaduct remain closed, Councillor Chittock dissenting. “Letter was considered from Councilor Mason, accompanied by plan making suggestions for better arrangement of access for pedestrians.—Resolved to thank Councillor Mason for his suggestion, and refer his letter to the Traffic Inspector for report, after obtaining an estimate from the Borough Engineer for consideration with the estimates.” The letter from the West End Ratepayers’ Association was as follows: “At a meeting of the West End Association held on April 2, the following resolution was carried unanimously:— “That this meeting enters its emphatic protest against any proposal to re-open the Bay Viaduct to vehicular traffic for the following reasons: (1) Because to do so would make pedestrian traffic to the Bay extremely dangerous, especially to women and children; (2) And because of the large amount of expenditure incurred by the Council in providing another road, especially for vehicular traffic to and from the Bay.” The secretary of the North End Ratepayers’ Association wrote as follows: “The Executive of the North End Ratepayers’ Association desires me to state that the proposal submitted to the Council for the re-opening of the Bay Viaduct for vehicular traffic has received its consideration, and that such proposal is viewed by it with concern and disapproval. It has been pointed out that the very urgent need that existed for the closing of this entrance still, of course, continues and that there is no justification for any revision or alteration of the previous decision. For those whose business necessitates traffic to and from the Bay buildings, we respectfully suggest that permission be given to use the entrance from Strathallan Street, and so obviate the danger to life and property that the continued use of the Viaduct entrance would entail. The opinion been very generally expressed by both residents and visitors that the closing of the entrance has been very beneficial to pedestrians, and has also simplified the motor traffic control at this very congested street intersection, and we trust that in considering the question you will keep this in mind.” Traffic Inspector’s Report. The Traffic Inspector (Mr C. H. Newcome) reported as follows: “As instructed, I further report on the continued closing or otherwise of the Bay viaduct. I am still of opinion that the closing of the viaduct has been a great advantage to traffic control at that point. It also has been advantageous to pedestrians in as much as the risk of accidents to them by motorists using the viaduct has entirely disappeared. From opinions expressed, it appears that the majority of motorists and the general public are in favour of the viaduct being closed. In conversation with visiting motorists they have been greatly impressed with the very fine approach to the Bay via Virtue Avenue. “With regard to trade vehicles having business to attend to on the Bay, I wish to point out that permission to enter the Bay up to 9.30 a.m. via Strathallan Street has already been granted, therefore, in my opinion, there is no advantage to be gained by using the old viaduct. As the closing of the viaduct to vehicular traffic has been so favourably commented upon by the general public, particularly pedestrians using that entrance to the Bay. I strongly recommend that this entrance remain closed to all vehicular traffic.” The Caroline Bay Association also wrote protesting against the re-open-ing of the viaduct. Council Discussion. Councillor A. Kennedy said the matter had twice been before the committee, but at the last meeting all members were not present, and apparently there was little discussion. Councillor Chittock was the only one who dissented. He was rather surprised at that, because at the last Council meeting, Councillor Hart had been prepared to move a resolution that the viaduct be opened for one-way traffic only, and he had been prepared to second it. During the past two weeks there had been a good deal of controversy in the papers in regard to the matter. There had been letters from the North and West End Associations about it, and then there was an article bv some fiction writer in that day’s paper. Seeing that the writer had had his axe into him (the speaker), he desired to reply to some of the statements. The letters from the two Associations need not be taken much notice of, as they did not seem to have fully investigated the matter. It seemed to him that the North End Association were taking a selfish point of view, seeing they had a drive from thendoorway on to the Bay. He noticed that there was no letter from people in the south end of the town, and they were the people most affected. The Mayor: “Not pedestrians.” Councillor Kennedy: “No, those who drive cars.” He went on to say that there were many reasons why the viaduct should be re-opened. During the winter, people going to dances on the Bay would have to go a long way round to get there. It had been said that he had referred to tradesmen, but he had not done so, for he had previously moved that they be allowed to go by way of Strathallan Street up till 9.30 a.m. It had also been stated that he had not considered the women and children. He admitted that it was a dangerous place, probably the most dangerous place in Timaru, but to whom was it a danger? It was a danger to women and children. And who make the danger? the motorists. And who were the motorists? The North End people coming into town. Councillor Kennedy contended that they accelerated before reaching the viaduct in order to get up the hill on top gear, and there should be better control of traffic at this point. The best safeguard women and children could have was an intersection where there was converging traffic. He was prepared to bring forward a plan to safeguard women and children from traffic going into the Bay. He hoped the Council would consider the matter as men, and not knuckle down to any Association which cared to write. They should not act as weak-kneed, nervous old women. He asked the Mayor if he had ever considered the necessity of better control at the viaduct. The Mayor said that at the last meeting the matter had been referred back to the committee for further consideration, and for a report from the traffic inspector. At this -stage he read the inspector’s report, and said that as one who had had long experi-

ence, and as one who had used the street as much as anyone else, lie thought it was in the best interests of the public, especially mothers and children, that the viaduct should remain closed. There was no inconvenience to motorists, but it was of great convenience to pedestrians. Councillor F. Chittock said that his business took him on to the Bay, and he considered that he used the viaduct more thany any other Councillor. During the years two-way traffic was permitted there was danger, but he did not consider there would be an;/ danger in one-way traffic on to the Bay. He was not in favour of twoway traffic. He considered the present structure dangerous, and Councillor Mason’s suggestion of a heavy chain would be much better. If the Council went into the question of making some safeguard for pedestrians, they would be doing their duty. Councillor . H. Richards said that he could not see why they should permit the North and West End Associations to dictate to them. They were always up to the same tricks. The Mayor: “They are not dictating.” Councillor Richards: “Why don’t they come and get in as Councillors, and then they might run the town property. Surely the Councillors have enough brains to run the business properly. If not, they should not be here. There has never been anyone killed at the viaduct yet. and there are far more dangerous corners in the town.” Councillor W. H. Hunt said that it had never been intended to permit traffic to come off the Bay. He favoured the erection of a fence or chains, with a gateway for the public. The matter could be given a trial during the off season. Councillor H. J. Mathers said that ho was going to stand by the committee’s recommendation. Councillor J. R. Hart said that he had always been in favour of the viaduct being open during the winter months. There was a gutter at the entrance which would pull cars up. He moved as an amendment that the viaduct be opened for inward traffic until October Ist. and then closed until April 1, 1933. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Kennedy. Councillor G. Benstead took exception to the statement by Councillor Kennedy that the North End Association were adopting a selfish view. Ha had been connected with the Association for some years, and they had never shown any sign of selfishness so far as that end of the town was concerned. He went on to say that Councillor Kennedy admitted that the viaduct intersection was dangerous; Councillor Chittock also admitted it, and yet they argued that an additional avenue of ingress was not going to make the spot more dangerous. Councillor Kennedy: “You’re dense.” Councillor Benstead: “I don’t want any I did not interrupt you.” He agreed with Councillor Mathers that they should consider safety .first. Councillor F. B. Hawkey said that he had been in favour of one-way traffic all through and he was still in favour of it. He thought that traffic turning into the viaduct would have a tendency to slow up traffic from all other directions. Councillor Benstead said that it seemed strange that when the matter first came up, the mover of the amendment that night voted for the viaduct to remain closed. At the last Council meeting he was willing to move a resolution that it be open for one-way traffic, and at the committee meeting on Monday, he voted that it should remain closed. Councillor Hart said he had always been in favour of it being open during the winter months. The amendment was carried by seven votes to three, the voting being: For: Councillors Hart. Hunt. Mason, Chittock, Richards, Hawkey and Kennedy.

Against: The Mayor, and Councillors Benstead and Mathers.