DiscussionMr J. F. A. Baker (Chief Engineer, Highways; Ministry of Transport) felt that the Paper came at a time when advice and help as the result of experience both in the formulation of such a scheme and in carrying it out were much needed, due to the enormous growth of traffic and the problems which that presented in urban areas everywhere.110. Mr Baker had first taken his own car into Birmingham in the early 1930s, and he had got lost in the one-way streets. 11 1. The scheme, when completed, would give an entirely new look to Birmingham. NOW was the time to look at the engineering work which was being put into it. When it was finished it would be absorbed in the street scene and people would forget what had had to be done to build it. He had been impressed by the pedestrian subways and their simple, straightforward finish. The segregation of mains and cables was, as the Author had said in 8 103, the traffic engineer's dream.112. The provision of multi-storey garages adjacent to and outside the Ring was a matter for congratulation. With reference to $5 37 and 38, was the Author satisfied about the desirability of encouraging some 20,000 cars to be parked inside the Ring? Also, would there be rear access to the buildings which were being erected on the Ring Road? The layout provided for an 8-ft loading lane, which in effect made a 38-ft carriageway. Mr Baker wondered about the effect on traffic flow and safety, and also on bus stops, if drivers of passenger and goods vehicles were encouraged to pull in and out of these loading lanes.113. Turning to 8 108, would the development between the Ring and Colmore Row be such as to discourage vehicular traffic from traversing those areas unnecessarily? The Ring Road was an illustration of the problem of dealing with the centre of a large urban area as best one could in the light of existing conditions. This he felt to be one of the reasons, and perhaps the main reason, for so much progress being achieved.He found in 0 25 a completely realistic as opposed to an ideal planning exercise. 114. The methods described in 8 26 for indicating the Ring Road and its function to drivers were excellent, and much trouble had been taken to ensure that the whole of the new development was pleasing and attractive. So far as the lighting was concerned, however, it seemed costly to provide both the type of lantern and the level of illumination to fit the special character and quality of the thoroughfare. The amount of actual light which was to be provided was, he believed, a good deal more than the amount normally provided on tr&c routes. The lanterns had been rightly designed with special regard to their appearance, but it seemed that only about 50% of the light output could reach the road. Also, the low-level fittings would use considerably more power than normal street lighting. He did not say that this was wrong, because he agreed with the opinion expressed in 5 75 that the ideal method from the point of view of the street scene would have been to attach the fittings to or incorpor...
