Lord Monk Bretton on London Traffic Schemes I NTERESTING references to
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London's traffic problems and schemes that are afoot for solving some of them, were made in the annual review on the work of the London County Council by Lord Monk Bretton, the chairman of the council. In connection with the operation of the council's tramways, he mentioned that Parliamentary powers have been obtained for enlarging the tramway subway between Victoria Embankment and Southampton Row in order to accommodate double-deck ears. The work will shortly be commenced, and when completed will afford a general means for linking up the northern and southern tramway services.
The final portion in Downham of the new tramway route from Southend Village to Grove Park Station was completed and opened for passenger traffic during the year, and Parliamentary powers are now being sought for the construction of tramways from Grove Park Station to Well Hail Road, Eltham, so that the services through Downham may be linked up with the Woolwich-Elthatn tramway's, and fur1-her travelling facilities may be afforded for those residing on the housing estates in South-East Loudon. • To improve traffic • conditions at Woolwich Ferry two neW ferry boats, one in place of an existing boat, are 'being obtained at. a cost • of about ,i72,000, and steps are being taken to .widen the roadways and approach bridges leading to the ferry.
With regard to the proposed new bridge to replace the existing Charing Cross Bridge, the engineers .appointed by the Ministry of Transport suggested the removal of Charing. Cross .Station to the south side of the river in close Proximity to Waterloo Station and the erection of a bridge for vehicular and pedestrian traffic only. In order to meet one of the important objections
of the Southern Railway Co. to the removal of Charier, Cross Station, a new plan was prepared, on the instructions of the Minister, for the erection of the new station on a triangular site bounded by the river, Waterloo Road and the new road, and negotiations with the company are proceeding. The scheme for the reconditioning .1i. Waterloo llridge awaits developments in connection with Charing Cross 'Bridge. •
The deplorable condition of 'the aecess by road to the northern dock area of London, involving --traffic congestion and delays, with consequent loss of time and money, -has been for years a matter . of great -concern to the various authorities, interested. In the last-. Session -of. Parliament the council and the West Ham Corporation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport,' obtained powers to carry into effect the Victoria Dock. Road improvement scheme, at an estimated cost of £2,518,000, of which. sum the Government will provide 75 per .cent, the remaining 25 per cent. being allocated between the council and certain authorities within the London traffic area. The scheme will probably take at
least four years to complete.