QUEUES FOR BUSES. "
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The Works Committee of Westmin.ster C.C. report having considered a letter from the Commissioner of Police, asking for the City Gcfuncil's observations on an application by the London General Omnibus Co. to arrange for the formation of queues at stopping places for omnibuses going west at Hyde Park Corner and at Knightsbridge, west of its junction with Brompton Roth. The Commissioner encloses copies of letters addressed to the omnibus company on the subject generally, dealing with the difficulties he foresees in connection with the establishment of queues, e.g., the curtailment of footway space for the general public, and the rights of frontagers. The omnibus company's wish is to have at certain points (such as those referred to) fixed stopping places. Seven services stop at Hyde Park Corner, five of which have no common route for any considerable distance, so five queues would be formed. The stopping points of the re. spective services would be indicated by signs, and it is proposed that intending passengers be formed into separate queues for each service. The principle of the formation of queues to regulate crowds is, no doubt, the Committee say, a good one but the desirability of its adoption for the purpose in question is doubtful, as, in place of•tho more or less small transitory obstructions of the present time, what would amount to permanent authorized obstructions at fixed points opposite certaiia premises would be created. The occupiers of the premises opposite the queues might see serious objection to the proposal. The queues would require regulating ; the police, apparently, are' not prepared to undertake this, and it. is doubtful whether, under existing conditions, the omnibus company could do it. It appears from the correspondence that, while the Commissioner
does not condemn the system, he apparently is' not very favourably impressed with it. The committee understand, that the difficulties (no doubt of a temporary character) at certain stopping places are almost entirely due to the present inadequate services. The committee's Observations, which are against the formation of queues, are to be communicated to the Commissioner of Police.
At Willesden Fl.D.C. Finance Committee a letter was submitted from Messrs. Merry weather and Sons, asking the council to share the extra cost of building the motor fire-engine recently delivered on account Of great advances in rates of wages and materials. This would mean an additional 150 on the contract price, and the coimuittee recommend that the application be not acceded to.