WIDER STREETS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 4

WIDER STREETS.

FUTURE CARE NEEDED. (BKECIALL? TTXITTSSr SOB '"THE PRESS.") Tho City Engineer (Mr A. Galbraith) recently drew attention to the necessity for wider road-ways in Christchurch. This is a matter that should bo immediately looked into by tho different local bodies affected. There is no doubt that more room is required for roadways. In these days when motor-cars are becoming more frequently used by every section of the community, Bpaco for their proper parking must be provided. In shopping districts facilities for allowing vehicles to draw up in reasonable proximity to where business is to bo done must also be mapped out. Large establishments, incurring great expenditure in first cost and upkeep, and employing hundredß of hands, havo boen erected- for the purpose of supplying tho demands of tho people for all sorts of goods. Tho owners of these premises pay very large amounts yearly in rates for the privilege of transacting their business in central areas, and it is therefore necessary where crowds congregate to provide as well as' possible for their comfort and convenience.

Theso facts being established, what are wo doing at present to improve conditions for the future? Not very much, lam afraid. Therefore it behoves progressive minds both on our local bodies and off them, to get to work at once and lay down conditions governing roading concessions for the future. An immediate necessity arises for a conference of local bodies within a radius of ten miles from Cathedral Square to dißcuss the matter. Broadminded men and women aro wanted who will sink the petty differences which usually so encumber a conference of this sort. The above area will be a metropolitan one in fewer years than many of us dream of. Such a conference should determine what portion of this area is suitablo for shopping, manufacturing, residential districts, etc., if possible. This is the ideal move, but such, wo must grant, is not possible or practicable entirely. Therofore, for a beginning (if it is not possible to make a new roadway 100 ft wide everywhere) at least in all future subdivisions let us make tho building line fifty feet from the centre of the roadway, instead of 33ft as at present. This would give a chance for future authorities to secure the land for street widening in front of buildings, when the particular area is required for an industrial or shopping centre, without asking the ratepayers to pay for expensive building removals as well as for tho latd.

There are, even in the City as it is constituted to-day, many areas of land that could be so treated. These are found within the next ten years to carry a large population, requiring many business services. Footpaths at least 16ft wide and 68ft roadways are needed now, and with the many areas being cut up, the authorities should see that we get them. In such a roadway cars could draw up on each side at an angle and still leave a 40ft clear roadway. The advantages of a thoroughfare over one chain in width are well shown in Park road, Addington, this portion of tho City being laid out in tho days when it was under the old Spreydon Road Board. We know that other Now Zealand cities are considering the advisability of taking a portion of the ground floors of existing buildings, supporting the upper structure on columns and converting the acquired areas into footpaths. Let us, at least, look after our own futuro interests enough so that we do not have to resort to theso methods in Christchurch. This is a young city and in fifty years the area where crowds congregate most may be outside tho belts altogether.