ACCESS TO THE CITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 255, 27 October 1937, Page 6

ACCESS TO THE CITY

ENTRANCE FROM THE NORTH ROAD DEVIATIONS MOOTED WHAT OF NEW RAILWAY STATION? Changed road access to Wanganui city from the north is in contemplation. Indications point to the main highway being diverted to bring thp bulk of the traffic into the central portion of the town round the bottom of the western side of St. John's Hill. This matter is one which involves attention by both the Wanganui City Council and the Waitotara County. One suggestion involves deviating the road from a point north of Virginia Lake round to the foot of Parsons Street.

Whatever is finally decided upon may turn on two matters—a new Town Bridge and a new railway station. The construction of a new bridge over the Wanganui River is not a matter which can be long overlooked. The life of the present structure has been limited by the engineers, and with ever increasing road traffic a new structure must come very soon. If a new site is decided upon lower down the as some people think is likely, then a main road, say Carlton Avenue, leading aw’ay to the foot of St. John’s Hill, might be desirable. Wanganui would then be placed somewhat similarly to Hawera. with the through route out of the central portion of the city to some extent. If, on the other hand, the bridge is shifted to a site conforming to Wicksteed Place, the main through route may lie along Wicksteed Street to the foot of St. John’s. A bridge on the present site would retain the Avenue as a through route.

Actually the erdetion of a Town Bridge, while it will certainly have some bearing on the northern access to the city, will not affect the position as much as the new site for a Wanganui railway station. Whatever the fate of the proposed railway deviation via the coast, it is almost certain that the new railway centr? will be located in the region just beyond the Collegiate School. Prospects for the immediate future are that the eased grades in the Tura-kina-Fordell region of the line will be followed by some effort to overcome the Westmere “bank” out of Aramoho. The mooted deviation to overcome the Westmere hill is round the foot of St. John’s and out through Springvale, either to Kai Iwi or Maxwell—in short, a modification of the scheme put forward by Mr W. Draffin. If such a deviation doe?, eventuate the new railway station and yards are likely to be located near the foot of St. John’s Hill, to the west. That might have a bearing, either for or against deviating the main road into , the city.

Many people, of course, will prefer the present entrance over the brow of St. John’s Hill. For effect, never mind convenience, an entry to a city, whether it be by night or by day, is made the more appealing if by way of hill. To come smoothly to the top of a rise and then see spread out along the valley below the myriad lights of a city by night, or the bright colours of homes and gardens by day, backed by the glory of the river, winding its course to the sea. makes for charm, and when a per'son enters a charming city the mood is pleasant and satisfying. The fact that there is a general scheme for beautifying the face of St. John's t«> obliterate the old metal pit will make the drive down the slope all the more appealing.