Passing Comments
Page 28
Page 29
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Comparing Two 'THE traffic engineer of the Ways of Relieving City Planning Department, Traffic Congestion . Montreal, suggested a few
years ago the employment of higher, probably second-level storey, pathways for pedestrians in places where traffic congestion was becoming an increasingly difficult factor. This is suggested by our correspondent in America as being a more practical solution than the arcading of certain streets in London and elsewhere by setting back the fronts of buildings and laying footpaths under the upper stories. This scheme was recommended. amongst other measures, in a recent report to our Ministry of Transport by a committee of experts. Such arcades have been known here for many years and are exemplified in Chester. Turin, also has miles of these street arcades, where people do their shopping in comfort, whatever the weather, whilst the traffic occupies the much wider road surfaces then permitted. The tearing away of the fronts of buildings is, however, a slow and costly process, and would undoubtedly be resisted strongly by property owners. Reverting to the raised walks, the crossing of streets could be accomplished by cable suspension bridges, which would permit long spans without heavy construction or pillars. Actually, A26 this idea is by no means new. We remember .many years ago our associated journal, "The Motor," publisheda remarkably comprehensive futuristic drawing showing how artistically such elevated footpaths could be made. Over 20 years ago we published in "The Commercial Motor" a drawing showing a scheme of arcading and suggested that this method could advantageously be carried out at least in the areas surrounding major crossings.
Ministry Recommends THE Ministry of Local Minimum Widths for L Government and Planning New Roads has issued a schedule of
suggested minimum street
widths to assist local planning authorities. It is emphasized that the dimensions suggested are minima and not to be regarded invariably as standard. Widths of carriageways and footways should be varied to suit local circumstances. The schedule states that in principal business areas, carriageways should be at least 44 ft. wide, in industrial areas 30 ft., and in residential areas 22 ft. Where' waiting bays or lanes for public service vehicles are to be provided, they should be at least 9 ft. wide.
Guild Confined to rOUNDED in 1938, the :hartered Professional I Engineers' Guild, 28, Vic Engineers toria Street, London, S.W.1, is an association of chartered professional engineers—civil, mechanical and elm:Heal—who feel the need for an organization properly equipped and powerful enough to protect heir professional interests. The senior engineering nstitutions cannot do this, because it is beyond the icope of their charters, they being concerned primarily with the science of engineering. The
on the other hand, claims that it does not luplicate any of their functions, but supplements hem. It aims to represent the engineering profesnon, at the highest levels of planning, control and iirection, put forward eligible candidates for -esponsible administrative posts, protect the public 'rom unqualified practitioners, 'and obtain suitable -ecognition and adequate remuneration for the ;ervices of engineers at all levels. Most of the 13 )ranches authorized by the council have been naugurated. The membership already includes -nauy leaders of the profession. The Editor of this iournal was asked to reply to the toast of "The
visitors," given by Mr. C. W. N. McGowan, M.A., M.I.C.E., M.I.Mech.E., chairman of the Metropolitan Branch, at a dinner-dance held recently, which was highly successful and attended by some 140 members and guests
Conclusions From A NATIONAL daily newsTwo Different News "paper recently committed
Items an unfortunate juxtaposition of news items on one of its pages. One paragraph described how a Yorkshire gentleman, head of a family of 21 including nine grandchildren, solved his holiday problem by acquiring a coach, so that vacations could be taken en famine. "The — family likes to keep together," it said. Near to this item was a short paragraph which read: "Essex police are looking for a cream and black 32-seater motoreoach stolen in Southend." One wonders whether the two stories are linked. Did paterfamilias obtain his coach by illicit means, or was the family, having arrived in Southend for its holiday, deprived of its transport and all 21 left to the mercy of British Railways for their return?