Broken Tramcar Bye-Laws.
Page 7
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Strong Action by the Roads Improvement Association.
Tramway (London Cotinty Council) Regulation. To Mr BOARD OF TRADE.
THE PrIEMOR,f AL OF THE RO 4DS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. (./7/COrpOrt7t6Ti.) SHEWLETII as follows :— (1) Your _Memorialists' Association was founded in 1886 for the protection and furtherance of the interests of the non-statntory users of the public roads of Great Britain.
(2) Numerous complaints have from time to time been made to your Memorialists of the obstruction to general traffic in_ the County of London arising from the running in certain n_etdways of tramway carriages.
(3) At the request of various influential bodies, bring members of or represented by Your Memorialists' Association, Your Memorialists have investigated these complaints, arid dcsire to submit to the Board of Trade the very real grievances which the inquiries made by them disclose and the remedies which they would respectfully suggest. (41 In numerous instances the tramway lines are situated in reaciways forming main arteries for traffic of all descriptions. Much of that traffic is of a commercial character, and delay in its passage involves serious pecuniary loss. It is difficult to estimate even approximately the amount of this loss, but there can be DO question that in every week-day it runs into many thousands of pounds. The increase in speed, and eensequent facility in the passage of traffic, which the introduction of the motor lorry and of other vehicles propelled by mechanical power has secured, is to a large extent neutralized by the obstruction occasioned by the tramway carriages.
(5) This obstruction arises from : I The frequent and close running of an unnecessary number of tramway carriages during those periods of the day when tramway passenger traffic is -small.
Table A. which accompanies' this Memorial, sets nut records taken at eight representative positions situate in roads which are main arteries for traffic of all descrip tions. It will be observed (1) that in all eases the number of tramway carriages upon these roads was considerably in excess of passenger requirements. and (2) hat. Bye-Law No. 24, " No carriage using a tramway shall follow another carriage using the same tramway at a less distance from such other carriage than fifty yards (except at junction points arid on single lines of tramway)," is generally ignored, and this applies throughout the whole system.
Your Memorialists respectfully suggest that from 30 per cent. to 50 per cent, of the observed tramway carriages should be kept out of service and retained in the depots 1,etween the hours of (say) 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the roadways thereby relieved to that extent. In specifying the hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Your Memorialists must not be taken as conceding that. during certain hours before 11 a.m, or after 4 p.m. there is not an excessive number of tramway carriages in service, or that general commercial traffic is not congested or hindered thereby, but merely to indicate that the reduction of the service of observed tramway carriages between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. can be easily effected, without inconvenience to any section of the community. (b) The congestion at junctions of tramway lines.
A tramway carriage, being confined to a fixed track, occasions at junctions and crossings the maximum amount of inconvenienceand hindrance to general traffic, and it will be obvious that an excessive number of tramway carriages upon the roads greatly aggravates the rising connection.
Table B. which accompanies+ this Memorial, gives a fe w instances, taken at random at various points, showing the amount ol traffic so held up at such junctions and crossings.
(e) The stoppage ef tramway carriages abreast on parallel lines.
Such stoppages are of frequent occurrence at points where the Notices of the stopping of carriages to let down and take up passengers are placed directly opposite to each other on either side of the roadway. There are also a number of other places where, although the Stop Notices are not so placed, tramway carriages frequently stop abreast. Bye-Law No. 25 which provides bier
" No carriages using a tramway shall stop within ten yards of another carriage on a parallel line of tramway," is frequently not complied with. Where the roadway is narrow, such stoppages form an absolute, if temporary, block to the passage of all other traffic, and occasion much congestion and consequent delay. Tab1 C, which accompanies+ this Memorial, sets out a list of a few places where Stop Notices are placed opposite each other, and Table C.I. sets out+ a list of places where tramway carriages frequently stop abreast, although the Stop Notices are not opposite each other. Your Memorialists respectfully suggest that Bye-Law Nu. 25 should be more rigidly enforced, and that the Stop Notices now erected opposite each other should be altered and placed at least 20 yards apart.
(d) Dm badly-regulated nanner in which certain of the track repairs are carried out.
It frequently happens that repairs are carried out on both the " Up " and "Down " lines at the same time, and that the materials and tools required are spread ever an excessive amount of roadway. Table D, which accompaniest this Memorial, sets out a few instances of this.
Your Memorialists respectfully suggest that the Loudon County Council should not be allowed to monopolize the roadway in this manner, and that any extensive ropairs which necessitate the taking up of more than one track at the same time and the use of a large quantity of materials and tools should be carried out at night. (6) Your Memorialists are aware that, under various special Acts and Orders, powers are conferred noon the Board of Trade to make regulations relating to certain of the matters aforesaid, but the existing Regulations as made by the Board do not, they respectfully submit, go far enough, amid so far as they do go are rarely enforced. YOUR MEMORIALISTS respectfully ask that an opportunity may be afforded them of submitting to the Board of Trade in conference the amendments on the existing Regulations and the additional Regulations which, in the opinion of Your _Memorialists, are expedient to prevent or relieve the said obstructions to traffic, and that the Board will thereafter take such action as they may deem expedient to secure the removal or modification of such obstructions.
Given under the Common Seal of the, Roads Improvement Association (Incorporated) this 2nd day of January, 1912.