A.R.P. and Underground Car Parks for London

Abstract

SIR,-By extrapolating a graph curve of the numerical increase in recent years of private cars in Great Britain we can obtain ample evidence that unless measures are taken to restrict the daily flow of such vehicles into and out of the metropolitan area the already serious traffic congestion will shortly end in a literal impasse. If private cars on strictly official or trade business or owned by bona fide residents of London were alone allowed inside, and all cars whose occupants were concerned solely with shopping, visiting, theatres, dining, etc., were compelled to be parked outside, say, a sixto eight-mile radius from the Marble Arch, we should not be threatened with an alarming increase of the already existing difficulties of traffic organization. To accommodate prohibited cars commodious underground parking sites would have to be constructed on the principal radiating routes that link up the metropolis with outlying provinces. The cost of making such parks would admittedly be high, but there would ensue a good return for the initial outlay and cost of upkeep not only financially but in other and more important ways, such as from (1) parking fees and (2) work for the unemployed. The parks, being below ground and well protected overhead, would provide excellent clearing stations for wounded and shelters for thousands of residents evacuating London in the event of air raids. The A.R.P. authorities would have at their disposal and within easy access safe, well lighted and ventilated localities equipped with sanitary arrangements, water supply, and so forth. Adoption of such measures would defeat the disadvantages of a sudden incursion of large numbers of adults and children into country villages with inadequate housing and drainage facilities, and in which neither water nor food supply is capable of meeting the demands of a great number of suddenly introduced extra mouths.-I am, etc., CHARLES M. BEADNELL, Egham, Surrey, Nov. 4. Surgeon Rear-Admiral.