MOTORISTS AND TRAFFIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 11 February 1913, Page 3

MOTORISTS AND TRAFFIC.

REGULATION AND VENTILATION Is it mpre dangerous to leave a motor <jar on the road in a side street or to have the “higgeldy-piggel-dy” manner in which all sorts of traffic congregate in Broadway on a Saturday afternoon ? This was a matter that Borough Councillors discussed at the meeting last evening ; at least it was the position that ap-' pcared to face members at the conclusion of their remarks. Cr Dingle opened up the question pf cars being pulled up on side mads and left there, probably for an hour or two while they had afternoon tea, he said, Those people should be more careful (horses invariably shied at the vehicles) and keep them off the road more than they do. Again, said Cr Dingle, cars are driven ridiculously fast through the streets, and there should be some kind of limit to that sort of thing. He had no complaint against the motor car people, be was careful to point out; it was only want of thought. As a matter ot warning; he mentioned it, and it no notice was taken, it was the duty ot the Couficib to warn them “in some other way.” At the same time, Cr Dingle concluded; “I would be pleased to see thousands of motor cars running about.”

In reply to Cr Thompson, Hie Clerk said the Council had full power under the by-laws to deal with any traffic in the borough. The discussion digressed for a moment in the direction of levity, and Cr Dingle remarked that ho was quite serious about the matter. But motor car people seemed to think that “the whole country belonged to them.” Cr Thompson said that if Cr Dingle had brought up the question of the disposition of traffic in Broadway on Saturday afternoon, he would have been more to the point. There was a lot of danger in the street at that time, when carts and vehicles of all descriptions from the countryside wore to he found placed in' every position, two or three deep, and facing both outwards and inwards. These were a source of danger, and if the Council had the power the traffic should he looked after. Their inspector might just draw the owners’ attention and straighten things up.

His Worship said they did not want the inspector harassing people. Personally, he had never seen any danger, and it appeared to him that people were very careful. What, however, ho did consider required attention was the speed mi which motor cars went through the streets. ft. was altogether too fast. Motor cycles " ore even worse than cars, he added.

Cr Dingle emphasised the la'el Unit his reference was to side si reels: in Broadway there was plenty of room. Then Cr Thompson rose to a point of explanation also. He did not want the idea to get abroad that he wanted the inspector to harass people.

Cr King agreed that there was more danger in Broadway with the traffic six and eight feet deep than what had been stated by Cr Dingle about the side streets.

Ventilation is a well-worn theme of local bodies, and this having been again affirmed to the satisfaction of members, the matter ended.