The Buchanan Report

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30980, 9 February 1966, Page 12

The Buchanan Report

Sir, —“Grenouille” is to be congratulated on his logical thinking on this vexing problem of road traffic congestion. Similar criticism of ribbon development along our main highways has been voiced by our present Minister of Transport. The irresponsible attitude of local bodies, as well as present and past Government Ministers, has led to our present problem, the smooth flow of traffic in and out of our major cities. The taxpayers’ money is wasted on an ever-increasing army of inspectors, which solves nothing, whereas a great deal of the money could have been used in the development of access roads for our supermarkets, etc., away from the main through highways. The aquisition of some private land for such a scheme would be preferable to the present chaotic road conditions. It is a crime that we have not learnt from older countries’ mistakes.—Yours, etc.. F.W.P.F. February 8, 1966.

Sir, —If we are going to pipe the Avon, let us make a job of it. Start before the Carlton bridge and go under Bealey avenue’s wide pavement to link up in Richmond. Pave the drained bed to provide a one-lane low-way clear through the heart of the city with a ready-made fly-over at every intersection. The first section would solve the Carlton bridge bottleneck. The second, starting where the Avon touches Riccarton avenue, would separate this traffic from the Addington end simplify all movements to the north. Lawn lunchers could wile away a happy hour feeding the motorists who in turn would be tranquilised by their drive between the grassy banks. And the park—bless its sacred sward!—would remain unviolated. —Yours, etc., A RIVER RULES MY TOWN. February 8, 1966. Sir, —My suggestion was I for a concret e duct in the , Avon riverbed, and then suitable filling for the plant|ing of native and other trees, lawns, seating, etc. Suggestions should be accepted, and not scoffed at, as even seemingly silly ones can spark off a good idea in another mind. Can “Concrete Forever” come up with something good for our city?—Yours, etc. INNOVATION. February 8, 1965 . [This correspondence is now closed.—Ed., “The Press."]