SQUARE LAYOUT IS DISCUSSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18890, 15 October 1929, Page 4

SQUARE LAYOUT IS DISCUSSED.

PLAN ADOPTED BY TRAMWAY BOARD. The Tramway Board adopted, at its meeting yesterday, the plan for the new layout of Cathedral Square, which provides for two tramway shelters in front of the Cathedral and for through tramway traffic between the Cathedral and the Godley statue plot. The report of the Works and Traffic Committee, which recommended this course, was adopted on the motion of the chairman of the board (Mr J. A. Flesher), seconded by Mr John Wood, without discussion. The report of the committee stated that following the judgment of the Supreme Court respecting the boundaries of the Godley reserve in Cathedral Square and the uses to which it could be put. the City Council invited the board to send representatives to a conference which included members of the Citizens’ Committee which had secured the judgment referred to. So far as tramway tracks were concerned it was found that these encroached on the Godlev reserve at each of the four sides and that the present shelter was also on the reserve. Several meetings of the joint conference had been held. PLAN NO. 1. The board’s representatives first submitted Plan No. 1, which provided for a reduction in the width of the footpath in front of the Cathedral, the removal of the present shelter which was in an illegal position, and the placing of double tracks in the centre 'of the t-oadway which would enable one-way motor traffic to pass on either side, thus eliminating the present conflict between north-bound motorists and south-bound trams at Barnett’s corner and Woodward’s cor ner. The position of the tracks past the Post Office and in Worcester Street West was also improved. Safety zones were shown on both sides of the double track in front of the Cathedral and also for Sumner and Riccarton passengers. The question of shelters was left an open question. The City Engineer improved the clearances and the City Council representatives placed well designed shelters over the Cathedral safety zones The estimated cost was—- £ Tracks in front of Cathedral .. 7,100 Tracks in front of Post Office and in Worcester Street .. 4,000 Two shelters in concrete 2,300 £13,400 Add £7OO if shelters in stone. The report added: —■" It is a good lay-out from a tramway point of view, excepting that: (a) Several lines will still be without shelters; (b) outbound Sumner cars will continue to foul north-bound tramcars and north bound motorists at Barnett’s corner. Linwood and New Brighton cars entering the Square will make a right-hand turn, fouling all south-bound traffic including south-bound tram traffic; (c) serpentine tracks, north and south of the Cathedral are continued with narrow clearances at Dalgety’s and Warner’s corners PLAN NO. 2. “The assistance of Mr J. W. Mawson. Driector of Town Planning, was secured. He proposed that the street in front of the Cathedra 1 should be closed thus merging the Godley reserve land with the Cathedral land, that the southern and northern wings of the Cathedra* ground be removed. He also proposed that this block be completely encircled by tram tracks, which would be only sixteen feet away from the Cathedral building at the narrowest point, i e, the tower corner. Square garden plots were placed in the greater space thus provided on the north and south, to be used as traffic pivot points. “The special feature of the plan was the provision for one-way traffic. Northbound traffic to pass west of Godley reserve: south-bound traffic to pass east of the Cathedral; east and west traffic to move in sympathy. Shelters for tram passengers were not conveniently placed. It was soon found that the Cathedral Chapter were opposed to the tram tracks being brought so close to their building. PLAN NO. 3 “During the discussions, the tramwav representatives submitted plan No. 3 an Alternative, although plan No. 1

continued to be them in the first position. “This plan continued Mr Mawson's traffic proposal for both tram ( and motor traffic, and included the merging of the Godley plot and the Cathedral grounds. The north and south wings of the Cathedral were shortened, the Cathedral grounds becoming pear-shaped. It provided for thirty-six perches to be taken from the north and south sides of the Cathedral plot in exchange for a similar area on the western front. Tram tracks would be laid further away from the Cathedral than under plan No. 2. Clearance between tram tracks and kerb at Warner's corner was increased from seven feet and a half to fifteen feet, with one-way traffic taking the place of two-way traffic at this narrow place A similar Improvement was shown at Dalgety’s corner. "The present serpentine tracks north and south of the Cathedra! were straightened. Taking the lay-out as a whole, the length of curved rail was reduced from sixty-One chains to thirtveight chains. The closing of the road in front of the Cathedral increased the journey of north-bound cars by two 'hains and three- luartere. and of south bound cars by five chains and a quarter. The consequent increase in operating costs was estimated at £444 per annum. Shelters were provided in the south-east and south-west portions of the Square, thus removing the objec tion of shelters in front of the Cathe dral interfering with the view from Worcester Street. These shelters would be available for all tram services. The cost of these changes was estimated at £21,121 At present there are seven places in the Square where passengers board or alight. Under plan No. 3 there would be only two, with an ad ditional one for race cars. This would concentrate waiting passengers at two places, and the consequent congestion gives some concern. “Inquiries from other tramway con cerns in New Zealand and Australia showed that the largest number of cars passing one point one way ranged from 1085 to 1857 per day, while under plan No. 3 the largest number or normal days would be 692 loading at the new Post Office shelter and 911 at Dalgety s shelter. During the busiest hour the loading elsewhere ranged from 104 to 292 cars, whereas in Christchurch it would be 72 and 101 cars. “The Christchurch figures were for normal days. On holidays the number would be increased. The fact, too, that Cathedral Square is largely used as a terminal induces more people to congregate there than is probably the case at the heaviest loading points elsewhere. The congestion however, be reduced somewhat py the use of Manchester Street This increase in congestion, in addition to the lengthened journev under one-way traffic proposal, out-weighed the advan tages and caused the board s represen tatiyes to continue to favour their plan No. 1. _ . PLAN NO. 4.

“This plan repeats plan Na 3 in reducing the obstructive wings in the Cathedral grounds, north and south, but gives an equivalent area on the western front of the Cathedral plot to a depth of forty-four feet. The road was kept open in front of the Cathedral as in plan No. 1. with double tracks in the centre. _ , “Complete Removal of Tram T.racks from the Square.—Apart from the great expense involved, the inconvenience to the public which would result from trams being moved away from the centre of the city is such that this proposal has not been entertained by the Tramway Board’s committee. “ Recommendation. —It will be seen that considerable attention has been given to this question, and the problem has been examined from every angle The Tramway Committee has endorsed the decision of the majority of the joint conference that Plan 1 be adopt ed, and now recommends that course to the Tramway Board. The recommendation was adopted

REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL. The Mayor, the Rev J. K. Archer, submitted a report on the proceedings of the Cathedral Square Committee to last night’s meeting of the City Council, but in view of the lateness of the hour when it came before the council, it was decided to hold it over for consideration until the next meeting. After giving brief particulars of the four plans that had been discussed and the result of the voting at the meetinv the report stated; “It was ag-eed that the four plan sho Id be submitted to the Christ church City Council, with the result of the voting as above. It was agreed that No. 1 plan involved the removal

of the present shelter, the vesting in the council for highway purposes only the wings of the reserve, no buildings o be erected on such wings, the men's •onveniences to remain for the time «eing and to lie en!a ged by the addition of the present women’s undergro nd conveniences, and that the women’s conveniences should be provided elsewhere.”