LONDON’S TRAFFIC PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1929, Page 7

LONDON’S TRAFFIC PROBLEM

PROPOSED TINNED BELOW GREEN PARK.

LONDON, May 23. The traffic problem presents everincreasing difficulties in consequence the rapidly-growing number of motorcars on the roads. In many thoroughfares'’ vehicles have to proceed at snail’s pace, and it is difficult to imagine any. improvement can be effected, .even with the widening oT the Strand /Amd, other main arteries. Iff was announced this week that an underground motor-road may be eon-: i structecV under the Green Park to the jMall to*relieve the congestion of traffic an Piccadilly. The London Advisory Committee have had the scheme in ' mind* for several years, and it is actuVally two years since the Ministry of Transport paid a considerable sum to thei; builders of the palatial block of Hats; which has arisen on the Devon--4* shire House site to induce then to raise ■ contemplated .level of their foundations of five feet. This, was to safeguard the rights of the Westminister City Council if that body should bo . called upon to construct the tunnel. / ' An alternative scheme to lessen the traffic in Piccadilly is to divert that pp«t of it which is making for Char- ! ii* Cross or Westminister across the Green Park near the Ritz Hotel, tyhere the famous iron gates from Devonshire House have been set tip, to the "Victoria Memorial. The avenue is wide enough for a road, carrying two streams of traffic. It is bordered by young trees and could, of course, be converted into* a road—for which it seems originally to have been laid out" -—at far less cost than a tunnel would entail.* The 'Green Park is a Rovaf park, and* the only authority which could authorise the transformation of the .T avenue would be His Majesty’s Office; "of Works. As the new road would’ end in front of Buckingham Palace, the execution of the project would!appear to depend on the. King’s personal approval; but Parliament also views' /with jealous eyes any scheme Which diminishes ever by a square foot uiie . atppimt of green sward in the parks:.'- ' ■