Watersiders Want More Parking Space

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30975, 3 February 1966, Page 8

Watersiders Want More Parking Space

“We have done everything we can, and it is with regret that we can do no more,” said the chairman (Mr L. G. Amos) yesterday when the Lyttelton Harbour Board was asked by the Waterfront Workers’ Union to provide more facilities for parking. Parking of watersiders’ cars was allowed on the north side of Cashin quay, the sec-retary-manager (Mr A. J. Sowden) said. As road transport increased, consideration would have to be given to the exclusion of private vehicles from all parts of the inner harbour. His own view was that the provision of parking facilities was a matter for the local authority. A general rule in industry today was that parking space was provided for employees, said Mr W. B. Laitng. “I know the board has bent over backwards to try to get some area,” he said. “Perhaps a full investigation might get something.” “We have got to get people starting to think in terms of a parking building and thinking of paying to use it,” said Mr J. Brand. “It is our job to call the parties together.” Mr F. I. Sutton agreed and said that many cars were parked on the board’s land at present. He did not agree that a building was necessary now, although it might be in the future, Mir A. A. Macfarlane said.

The board adopted his suggestion that the works committee investigate the problem and meet officials of the Watersiders’ Union to get their views on where the board might find parking space. The union’s letter said the present position was chaotic, ’‘and we feed we have been

left out on a limb, as all other workers connected with shipping at the port seem to have been provided for.” Since the opening of the road tunnel most of the union members used their cars and it was frustrating for them when they could not find parking space.