TRAFFIC REMEDIES AT LAST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 589, 15 February 1929, Page 8

TRAFFIC REMEDIES AT LAST

THE most pertinent criticism of the City Council’s latest scheme for the provision of a new traffic outlet from Upper Queen Street through, and over, the Karangahape Road intersection, teas provided last evening by a member of the council itself. Mr. T. Blood worth observed that the only fault in the scheme was that it had been four years behind time. The same critic added that the council, in seeking to delay action until after conference with the Auckland Transport Board, was merely looking for an excuse to justify further delay. » That comment, perhaps, was a little unkind, but then Mr. Bloodworth has been associated with civic administration long' enough to have sound knowledge of the mind and methods of the City Council. In any case, giving the council the benefit of the doubt, it must he taken for granted that the scheme is something more than a piece of electioneering bait. The plan, outlined by the city engineer, provides for the extension of Belgium Street by way of Exmouth Street, to New North Road. Upper Queen Street and Belgium Street will be regraded to enable a through tram service to he run, and the grade will be one which will hold no dreads for the motorists. A cut through the Karangahape Road rise will be necessary, and a bridge across the cutting will enable the Karangahape Road traffic to be carried without interference. The scheme is a good one, and furnishes the best possible method of relieving traffic congestion which has called for remedial attention for the past five years, during which the element of danger has been steadily increasing. The plans have admirable simplicity, and when executed, will remedy the present congestion at the ridged intersection and will also do away with the hold-up of vehicles on either side of the rise. Although the City Council lias been more generous than usual in giving details, there is still a lack of precise information concerning the cost involved, both for the work itself and the acquisition of property. If, as hoped, the work will be authorised before the expiry of the life of the present council, it should be the obvious duly of the dying administration to make it clear to the ratepavors when the work will be started.