Gallows Hill Archives: 1926

Cape Argus May 1926

Ban on Ten Minutes Parking

To be used sparingly by the Traffic Department

Mr. Joseph Kerr’s Assurance

Automobile Association and a “Dangerous Weapon”

The ten-minute parking in “No Parking” areas in the city will be abolished only in very congested street. This assurance was give by Mr. Joseph Kerr, Cape Town’s Traffic Superintendent, in an interview with the representative of The Argus today.

Tradesmen up in arms

At the sitting of the Provincial Council yesterday, the first reading was passed of an amendment which, if brought into force in its entirety, will virtually abolish the ten-minute parking in the whole Peninsula.

Section 55, sub-section 3, of the new Motor Ordinance lays down that vehicles may park for ten minutes in prohibited areas. The amendment now before the Provincial Council provides for “the prohibition of the stopping and standing of motor vehicles in any public road or portion thereof.” The amendment repeals sub-section 3.

“The amendment is not as bad as it looks,” said Mr. Kerr. “First let me say that the work ‘park’ should never have been used in sub-section 3. For some unaccountable reason, someone substituted this word for… the amendment will become a pinprick regulation and just another easy source of revenue to the Traffic Department.

Easy Revenue

“One has only to look out of any office window in St. Georges Street to see what an easy source of revenue total prohibition would be. There is a constable I see very often who stands on the pavement, waits for a car to park and, after timing it for ten minutes, ties a tag on it.”

“My own opinion, and that of the Automobile Association, is that congested areas in the city could be overcome more easily by making one-way streets that by prohibiting parking altogether.”

An indication that the Cape Town public will not stand for any sweeping interference with its parking privileges was seen when the comments of leading business men were … of motor vehicles in any public road or portion thereof.” The amendment repeals sub-section 3.

“The amendment is not as bad as it looks,” said Mr. Kerr. “First let me say that the word ‘park’ should never have been used in sub-section 3. For some unaccountable reason, someone substituted this word for ‘stand’ when the ordinance was drawn up and the sub-section became law without anyone noticing this slip. It will be seen that the amendment states ‘stop or stand.’

Personal Guarantee

“I give my personal guarantee that this power to prohibit ten-minute parking will be used very carefully by the Traffic Department. It is proposed to stop all parking in such places as Spin Street, the portion of Darling Street near Adderley Street and St. Georges Street which is covered by the Sea Point bus route.

“In these places I have mentioned it needs but one car to be parked to upset the whole flow of traffic.”

“I would like to point out that the ten-minute parking or standing as it should be called was introduced to assist shops in off-loading, and not to allow private cars to stand at the pavement while the drivers and passengers carry out their shopping”

“I recommended a long time ago to both the City Council and Provincial Council that parking should be totally prohibited in certain sections of the city.”

A.A. View

Commenting on Mr. Kerr’s statement, Mr. W. Rawson, chairman of the Automobile Association, pointed out that under the by-laws framed under the provisions of the old Motor Ordinance parking is allowed for ten minutes to any motor car or vehicle in areas specified in the schedules of the by-laws as “No Parking” areas.

“I have always stated that Cape Town has no traffic problem worth solving,” said Mr. Rawson, “and I feel that this new amendment affecting the ten-minute parking is a very dangerous weapon to be held against Cape Town motorists.

“I sincerely trust that only a few areas in the city are made ‘Parking Totally Prohibited’ or otherwise… overcome more easily by making one-way streets that by prohibiting parking altogether.”

And indication that the Cape Town public will not stand for any sweeping interference with its parking privileges was seen when the comments of leading business men were sought.

“A Row”

“Let the Traffic Department try and prohibit all parking outside my store and see what a row I shall raise,” said the manager of a leading store. “Not counting my customers I have about 30 vans a day pulling up with supplies and taking away orders. No, in face of the high rates Cape Town stores have to pay. I can assure you that shops and stores will stand for no interferences of the parking in the streets adjoining their premises.”