2.
Monday, August 14, 1972
Work is due to start on the tunnel towards the end of this year and
when it is completed each two-lane tube will carry traffic in one direction,
the same system as in the cross-harbour tunnel.
He added that as far is known, the tolls for the Lion Rock tunnel
will remain the same.
On the question of traffic congestion, Mr. Wilson said that the time
was now ripe for taking steps to cut down the number of vehicles on the roads.
He pointed out that the number of vehicles being registered each year
was increasing faster than roads could be built, and if there were no restrictions
on new registrations, it would only be a matter of time before the vehicles filled
up the new roads.
Capacity Reduced
"Double-decking roads has been suggested, but this would mean loss
of air and light for occupants of adjacent buildings, and the capacity of the
ground floor road would be appreciably reduced by the amount of space needed
for footings for the upper deck.
"The problem boils down to this. If you can't make the roads big
enough to fit all the vehicles, then the number of vehicles will have to be cut
down to fit the roads," he added.
The Transport Commissioner said it made no sense for a civilised community
to allow itself to become dependent on motor vehicles and then to fail to exercise
the self-discipline needed to prevent its roads jamming solid because of too
many vehicles, selfish kerbside parking and a failure to ration road space
according to an agreed priority.
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