The Width of Streets.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 64, 17 February 1885, Page 4

The Width of Streets.

Much advance has been made during recent years m securing increased space about inhabited dwellings, and modern regulations require that a certain minimum of space shall be given m the rear of houses, and also to the front, the width of the street being taken into account as regards the latter space. But m the state of Illinois the excessive width of the streets is reported as having of itself become a source of nuisance and of danger to health. Sixty feet and more are ordinarily given to new streets, even m the smaller towns ; eight feet on either side are paved and devoted to pedestrians ; and the remaining space, varying usually from forty-four to fifty-four feet, is devoted to carriage traffic. The result is that this wide carriage road, so often m the excess of the requirements of the vehicles that have to travel over it becomes a source of such expense as to forbid its being properly ; paved, cleansed and channelled. The street consequently is soon turned into a vast surface of dirt, mixed with filth, horse droppings and other refuse, and when the weather is so dry that dust is formed, the air which is inhaled as the dustffies about is calculated to bring about discease as well as discomfort, instead of promoting the health of pedestrians. Dr. Gregory, m bringing forward this subject, fully concurs m the great importance of providing wide thoroughfares, and of keeping the number of inhabitants to each acre down to a proper maximum, and hence he. declares that he would ; not on any consideration diminish by a single foot the width of the streets. But he would curtail the actual roadway, so that it shall only, suffice for the proper demands of the carriage traffic, and between that limited space, which could : - then be properly kept at a reasonable cost, and the foot paths, he would plant trees and lay down grass, so as really to provide m towns and cities such freshness and greenness as would go far to induce; people to take that form of exercise which is most conducive of health. The hints given are as well worthy of attention m this country as on the other side of the Atlantic. Something has been done m the metropolis and m other towns within the past few years, but there is still room for much that would help to render our town thoroughfares both more healthful arid attractive. — Lancet