TRAFFIC DANGERS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 87, 9 October 1931, Page 8

TRAFFIC DANGERS

REQUEST TO THE MAYOR For the purpose of drawing attention to the danger of serious . traffic congestion which, it was claimed, would result on the eastern side of the new Mount Victoria tunnel after it had been opened on Monday, a deputation-from the Kilbirnie Municipal Electors' Association waited on the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Hislop welcomed the information put before him and gave an assurance that the matter would receive the immediate attention of the council. It was agreed that when the council's access scheme has been completed there will be satisfactory provision for both east and west bound traffic, but it was recognised that measures of an emergency nature aire necessary in the meantime. Speaking for the deputation, Mr. J. J. Clark said that he wished to congratulate the Mayor on the long-delayed opening of the tunnel, which was to take place on Monday afternoon. "We really want to warn you of the seriousness of the step you are taking," he continued, "in opening this tunnel with the inadequate facilities on the eastern side. We do not think you, personally, and the council are fully seized of the seriousness of the position as it exists to-day. I venture to say that very shortly after you open the tunnel you will have a very serious accident. You perhaps may not know the locality as well as we do, who live in it." RIGHT-ANGLE TURNS. Mr. Clark explained that after vehicles left the tunnel and went down Moxham avenue, they proceeded a certain distance and then took a rightangle turn up Goa street, a very short street, from which they took another ri-ht-angle turn down Hamilton road and then met the tram lines at the All Saints' Church. Two lines of traffic made a block at the corner where the old hotel stands. "We suggest to you," said the speaker, "that you consider a request that our association made some time ago, that you permit the tramway right-of-way in front of the All Saints' Church to be used for vehicular traffic and thereby avoid the congestion at the corner of Goa street and Moxham avenue.' What was desired could be done at very short notice, possibly in a day. It wa. desirable that as soon as possible Ruahine street should be connected up with Moxham avenue. Mr. F. B. Bourke, in supporting Mr. Clark's remarks, drew attention to the proximity of the school and the resultant danger to the children. THE MAYOR'S REPLY. "1 realise, of course, that as the thing stands at present there is risk not only of congestion but also of accident, because the corner is very sharp, and it is a question, of finding the best expedient at the time which will do until the complete schcmo is carried out," said the Mayor in reply. He had been speaking to the City Valuer (Mr. F, N. Martin) on the matter, and it was admitted that not much would have to be done to open up the right-of-way immediately. One of the committees of the council had reported adversely on the project, but he thought it required reconsideration. Something would have to be done, at any rate, to allow traffic one way. Mr. W. R. Jourdain (a member of the deputation): "It is only about 75 yards long." The Mayor: "Yes. In spite of the law I havo used it myself." (Laughter.) A suggestion was made that outward traffic should use Goa street and inward traffic pass through the right-of-way. Some discussion followed with regard t the hotel corner on Wellington road, and in reply to a suggestion that the corner should be splayed, the Mayor said that the question of expense would have to be considered, as the council was in a very awkward position financially. A PROPOSAL ADOPTED. Speaking at tho City Council last evening, the Mayor dealt with the possible traffic congestion and risk of accident on the Kilbirnie side when the tunnel was in use, and outlined the proposal to make the tram thoroughfare between Moxham avenue and Hamilton road ivailable for outward traffic. Inward traffic would proceed via Wellington road and Moxham avenue. It was not proposed to make a street of the thoroughfare, but only to allow traffio to use it in the meantime until the proper road access was in use. Approval was given to the proposal.