MANCHESTER'S TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
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ATRAFFIC committee appointed by the Manchester Corporation to consider schemes for minimizing street congestion and pedestrian risks now reports that it has had under consideration various suggestions for relieving the growing congestion in the streets, but in view of the abnormal traffic conditions which have existed during the past year owing to the coal dispute it has been unable to obtain a reliable and up-todate census of traffic, failing which data it was impossible for the committee to investigate properly certain matters which it has before them.
It has, however, given special consideration to the desirability of introducing systems of " one-way " and " roundabout " traffic in the central area of the city. In the first place, the committee obtained reports of the experience of various cities where experiments had already been tried. Without exception the reports obtained were favourable to the system of " one-way " and " roundabout " traffic. 'Wherever acloPted the system has led to a far greater fluidity of traffic, and has proved a definite contribution in ameliorating traffic congestion. It is stated by those who have had experience of the system that " oneway " traffic increases the traffic value of a street to the extent of at least 33s per cent. This can be achieved at comparatively small cost, whereas the cost of immediate street widening in the central area of the city is almost prohibitive.
Before arriving at any decision, however, it was considered advisable that the parties chiefly concerned should be consulted, and for this purpose a meeting was arranged with representatives of the Manchester Committee of Road
'Users. They stated that their committee was of the opinion that the scheme was excellent, and one which it could unanimously endorse, and, further, it would do all in its power to carry it out.
In view of this report the committee decided not to recommend the council to Proceed at the present time with the introduction of the " roUndabout " system in Piccadilly. It has been informed by the tramways committee, however, that if this scheme be held in abeyance for about five years, when the existing lines will require renewing, the cost of the work of relaying could be fairly charged to the renewals fund, and it therefore appears that the cost of initiating the scheme if delayed would be very much reduced.
Having carefully considered all the circumstances, the committee has decided to recommend the council to adopt the " one-way " system of traffic in Portland Street, Mosley Street, Oldham Street and Lever Street. The estimated cost of carrying out the work of altering the points, etc., necessitated by the reversal of the direction of traffic in Portland Street and Mosley Street, if carried out immediately, is approximately £18,000. This amount would be reduced year by year by the normal process of depreciation of the lines, and, therefore, if the scheme be postponed for three years the lines would be worn out and the whole of the cost would be borne by the tramways committee out of the renewals fund. The committee however, is strongly of the opinion that the scheme should not be delayed so long_ If the proposal be deferred for 12 months the cost would be reduced to approximately £12,000, and the committee recommends, therefore, that the scheme be brought into operation 12 months hence.