TRAFFIC CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1921, Page 5

TRAFFIC CONTROL

SATURDAY’S EXPERIENCE SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE. ‘‘‘The Springboks-Taranaki football match on Saturday established a new record for New Plymouth—l3,o69 people and 800 motor cars were safely handled in the streets without an accident,” stated a report presented to the New Plymouth Borough Council at last night’s meeting by Inspector Day. The report outlined the following suggestions for future guidance:—-

Traffic.—There is no doubt that the closing of Liardet Street and the confining of care to Gover Street was correct, and this should be the rule in future at the conclusion of all events in the park, and in big events it should also be the rule while people are assembling.

Devon Street. At the conclusion of the match I decided on the spur of the moment to close Devon Street from Liardet Street to the Coffee Palace to all wheel traffic for about half an hour; later I moved the control from Liardet Street to Brougham Street. In the crowded state of Devon Street in front of the Criterion Hotel up till 5.30 p.m. traffic would have been dangerous. It is due to the public to state that, it would not be possible to imagine people more anxious to fall in with the regulations; during the whole day there was not the slightest semblance of friction, and this, I think, speaks volumes for the public and to the credit of my stall. A.t the same time it would be well to note some defects which, if removed, ' would greatly add to the smooth running of future gatherings of even half the magnitude. Sports Ground. There is no doubt that this is the finest arena of its size south of the line, yet in some minor details very tpifkward to work successfully. On‘Saturday it was impossible to take the teams to their pavilion in cars, owing to the lack of sufficient level ground near the lake to turn a car. Five pounds spent there would enable the teams to get down the street before the sepctators —a most important feature, considering that there is only one way out for vehicles. The main gates are too narrow to take the crowd coming from the western terrace, with the result that serious crushing occurred after the mat(!h« If the iron panels could be made to lift out it would make a great difference. At the same time a distinct gate should be made in the galvanised iron fence for reserved ticket-holders. This would greatly facilitate both ingress and egress. Taxis.—The route used for taxis on ' Saturday was very suitable, but the turning place was very rough. A pound or two here would be well spent. A very much better plan would be to fill up the gully in Gilbert Street and run taxis from the. Prince's Gate .-ta Gilbert Street and Carrington Road. This is much to be preferred to doing any work with the gully in Fillis Street.’Several temporary notice boards suitable for these occasions would be very useful, and should, 1 think, be procured.

The council agreed with the inspector's remarks as to the closing of Liardet Street to vehicular traffic. In regard to the .suggestions relating t o the sports ground, it was decided that a copy of the clauses be forwarded to the Pukekura Park Board.