BANK CORNER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18403, 9 June 1925, Page 9

BANK CORNER.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION PERIOD. MONOPOLY TO TRAMS. A proposal came before the City Council last night •whereby only tram traffic would be permitted to pass the Bank corner during the daily rush period. The By-laws Committee reported that a deputation from the Christchureh Tramway Board waited upon the committeo with ix request that relief be. afforded at the Bank of New Zealand corner by giving preference to tramway traffic at rush periods, such as occur at 5 p.m. Tho committee recommended that, with a view to affording relief to the congested state of traffic at that point and obviating tramway blockage, all vehicular traffic, proceeding northward be prohibited from entering Cathedral square by Colombo Htreet at the Bank corner between 5 and ">.15 p.m. daily, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays.

Cr. E. 411. Andrews said he did not see why special rights should be granted the Tramway Board in the use of that Toadway. The tramways were largely responsible for the congestion at the Bank corner. . Other road users had as much right as the Tramway Board to use the roadway. pr. C. P. Agar said the north bound road traffic crossed the tram rails in two places in Cathedral square. If ordinary vehicles were given the right of way the trams would be held up during the busiest interval of the day, and all the passengers inconvenienced.

Cr. W. E. Leadley said the idea of the committee was far too drastic. It was moving to givo .a right of way along a road to one class of traffic only. The Council's inspectors might assist the constable on" point duty to regulate the traffic.

Cr. Agar: We have tried that. Cr. Leadloy said that if any traffic was blamed, the nature of the traffic should be specified. / Cr. MeCombs said that during the late afternoon the Square was crowded with motor-cars, and pedestrians were •in grave jeopardy. If motorists had. not the common-sense to keep out of the Square the Council should take action.

Cr. A. F. Carey said the proposal of the committee was worth trying. Vehicular traffic would not be inconvenienced much. Cr. D. G. Sullivan said it must be realised that tho present congestion and confusion should not.bo allowed to continue. There was little chance of the Bank cornor roadway bebig widened, for the cost would bo too great. The trams could not be turner) out of the Square, but the motor-cars and other wheeled traffic could. He could see no other solution of the problem than the one proposed. Cr. Butterfield said tho tramways had too big a hold on tho city as it was. There was no trouble at tho Bank corner provided the directions of tho constable wero followed. . The express drivers had been turned out of tho Square, and the taxi-owners wora presumably to follow, and the Square was to be le|t altogether to tho Tramway Board. 1

The report of the committeo was adopted,