TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20993, 21 December 1939, Page 13

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

RUSH OVER CHRISTMAS TAXIS AT GARDEN PLACE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS j Traffic problems in Hamilton, par- | ticularly over the busy period of this i week, were referred to at the meetI ing of the Hamilton Borough Council J last night when several aspects of j the position were discussed. The | Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, presided, i The first question discussed was | the advisability of placing taxi stands j in the first parking bay in Garden Place for the convenience of shop- ! pers, Mr F. Findlay speaking in fav- ! our of the proposal as. he said, it I w.ould be a convenience for those I ratepayers without motor-cars. They | had a right to expect adequate transport facilities. Several councillors referred to the danger of so many cars crossing the Victoria Street footpaths and to the congestion already in Victoria Street. A request from the Checker Taxi Company for stands in the area was declined. The next question was brought forward by Mr W. R. Shattock, who referred to the danger of Ward Street with the extra traffic using it now Garden Place was opened up. He suggested the widening of the road in Ward Street by reducing the width of the footway from Alexandra Street to Victoria Street. Mr J. R. Fow stated that when Ward Street was laid down the footways were made wider as the upkeep was less, and the council, at the time, had the idea in mind that when traffic became heavier the roadway could be widened. Mr W. W. Dillicar suggested the prohibition of parking on the east side of the street in the area and the engineer was asked to bring down a report on the cost of widening the roadway. Pedestrian Crossing Dangers Mr T. G. Reynolds referred to the dangers existing at the pedestrian crossing near the new Post Office and stated that the position would become much worse when the new Post Office was opened. He sought an assurance that the transport committee was watching the position. Mr Shattock suggested the traffic officers should be placed on duty during the busy hours at pedestrian crossings to stop the hold-ups. This week he had seen as many as 20 and 30 cars held up while people crossed in ones and twos. The chief traffic inspector, Mr W. E. Nicholson pointed out that it was difficult to hav£ men stationed at the crossings in view of all the other work. The granting of new driving licenses was a problem, as that day no fewer than twelve new licenses were issued. Each new driver occupied half an hour for testing, and there was little time left for inspectors to do pedestrian stop duty as well as watch half-hour parking and other traffic problems.

“When it is realised that between 9000 and 10,000 cars a day pass the crossings, the consequences of a holdup of a minute can be realised. The magnitude of the task can also be realised,” said the inspector. On the motion of Mr F. Findlay it was decided to ask Mr C. W. Lopdell, officer in charge of the Hamilton police district, to supply men for pedestrian duty over the busy hours.