STOCK EXCHANGE CONGESTION

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 6

STOCK EXCHANGE CONGESTION

MOTOR TRAFFIC PROHIBITION SUGGESTED UNDER NEW SCHEME DEVIATIONS FOR VEHICLES PROPOSED A scheme prepared by Mr P. W. Breen to prohibit through motor traffic in that congested area between the corners of High and Rattray streets and the Cargill monument has the unanimous support of the City Council s Genera! Committee, it was reported to the annual meeting of the Automobile Association of Otar d last night. If adopted the scheme will, require all traffic for the north and south to make a deviation into the back streets, and will shift the present Stock Exchange stop for southbound cars to the monument, where two shelter sheds will be erected A full explanation of the scheme was made to the meeting by Mr Breen, who said that a good deal of the traffic congestion in the city was caused by the Jay walking and wanderings of pedestrians. It was definitely clear that some single authority should take charge of traffic and define the routes to be taken by motorists, as the number of accidents in the country was a disgrace to a motoring community. Pedestrians were entitled to a measure of courtesy, and motorists could show that by slowing down when approaching them. One of the most congested areas in the city was the Stock Exchange. Before iong Cargill monument would have to be removed. It was an eyesore to traffic and ■wanted renovation, which could be given when it was shifted to another site. Describing the congestion, Mr Breen said the tram stop at the Bank of New Zealand caused cars to bank up as far as the Strand Theatre, and further congestion-occurred when crossing High street to the Stock Exchange. Every second car which came along Princes street south turned off at the Anderson’s Bay road. Why should they go through the Stock Exchange when congestion could be avoided by turning down Rattray street and using Bond, Crawford, or Cumberland streets? Under an old Public Works Act—introduced in the days when red flags were carried before motor cars—the Bank of New Zealand corner was made a compulsory tram stop. It was the cause of much congestion, and could be obviated if tlie atop were abolished and the trams allowed to travel across Rattray street to a new stopping place at the monument. The present stop at the Stock Exchange would also have to be abolished. This area would then be isolated from motor traffic.

Only through traffic in High street would be permitted, and the installation of an automatic tram point at Jacobs’s Corner would prevent the blockage of motors intending to turn down Water street from Princes street south.

“ Crawford street was originally laid down to divert traffic from the main streets, but it has failed in that purpose through there being no direction of the traffic,” said Mr Breen. Southbound traffic would turn from Princes street into Rattray street, where the taxi rank—situated, in conflict with all regulations, on the wrong side of the road—would have to be removed to give traffic a clear road. He contended that the removal would not be a hardship on the taxi drivers, who obtained their calls mostly by telephone. The express van stand in the centre of Dowling street would also have to be removed, as that street would be used by a greater volume of traffic travelling both north and south.

“ Motor traffic is increasing tremendously, and the City Council will now have to take decided steps to prevent congestion at the Stock Exchange,” declared Mr Breen. *

Cr A. H. Allen told the meeting at an earlier stage that the construction of a permanent raised zone between High and Rattray streets would have been commenced this week had Mr Breen not introduced his scheme. The General Committee was so impressed with the idea that the construction of the zone was postponed until it and Tramways and Works Committees had also explored Mr Breen’s proposal. As far as the mayor and he were concerned they intended to support the scheme. He hoped no insuperable difficulties would arise, as the area was so congested that motorists should give way to the pedestrians and the tram passengers.

Cr W. Batchelor said Mr Breen’s pronosal had his whole-hearted support. The scheme was before the last meeting of the General Committee, and every member present had endorsed it. He would have to “ peg away ” to convince the tramways manager that the Bank of New Zealand stop should be abolished. He considered that the Cargill monument would have to be removed, the site to be occupied by two shelter sheds —one for the Castle street passengers and the other for southbound passengers. The zone in front of the Stock Exchange would require to be removed, as another stop there would not be necessary. Motorists would probably object to the area being closed, but the deviations by way of Water and Rattray streets were slight. He hoped that there would be no alteration in the scheme. Cr Batchelor also expressed his determination to abolish the Dowling street van rank, as he considered the street was at present a death trap. Mr Breen informed members that at the first meeting of the executive he would ask that a committe be appointed to analyse his scheme and to work with the General Committee.