MERLEWOOD AVENUE, CASHMERE. SAID TO BE A SPEEDWAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18615, 17 November 1928, Page 15

MERLEWOOD AVENUE, CASHMERE. SAID TO BE A SPEEDWAY.

COUNCIL WILL CLOSE IT TO THROUGH TRAFFIC.

Complaints of speeding on Merlewood Avenue, Cashmere, have been made to the Heathcote County Council. It is complained, that not onlv private motorists use the road in this way, but also car salesmen, eager to impress prospective buyers, take them up this avenue—the only grade of one in five near the city— at full speed, not once or twice, but five or six times. This is a closed road, and in future speedsters will be confronted with a notice at each end of the avenue. "Motorists. Closed to through traffic!" This was the course decided on by the Heathcote County Council, the controlling body, last night, when a letter was received from Mr R. R. Maddren, a Merlewood Avenue resident, complaining of the nuisance. The letter stated that cyclists, in particular, travelled at a rate of speed exceedingly dangerous to life and limb. This was also doing considerble dam-

age to the road. They apparently made use of Merlewood Avenue as a testing place for their machines. The letter also complained of the speed of cyclists on Port Hills Road. They travelled with an open exhaust, making a positively deafening noise. "I can vouch for the truth of the last sentence, and strongly protest,” said Councillor B. Riley. Other members referred to the very real danger existing in Merlewood Avenue. Instances were given of car salesmen taking their cars up as many as five times in succession. It was decided to erect the above notice, and to warn the Motor Traders’ Association that the council would take action if the practice were not stopped.