Historical information

Six photographs showing traffic congestion that detains progress of trams in city streets. Road traffic congestion that detained tramcars in the city centre and on selected suburban roads had been a major concern to tramway operators dating back to the early 1900s. During the 1960s, and perhaps earlier, the Tramways Board regularly proposed ways of keeping motor traffic off the trams tracks, but little progress was achieved.

Significance

Yields information about the perennial issue of motor traffic detaining trams.

Physical description

Incomplete series of photographs showing street traffic congestion in Flinders Street and Spencer Street

Inscriptions & markings

5. Date 10/9/54, Time 1355 hrs, Flinders St, from Railway Buildings looking West over Degraves St. General traffic clear of tram tracks.
7. Date 17/9/54, Time 1355 hrs, Flinders St, from Railway Buildings looking West near Degraves St. 2 cars, 1 truck & 1 van parked & unattended. All moved within ten minutes.
8. Date 17/9/54, Time 1359 hrs, Flinders St, from Railway Buildings looking East towards Swanston St. Two utilities parked & unattended outside SEC. (Note policeman directing traffic.) See also Photo No 9.
9. Date 17/9/54, Time 1417 hrs, Flinders St, from Railway Buildings looking East towards Swanston St. Progressive view to No 8, two utilities in same position after 18 minutes.
12. Date 17/9/54, Time 1431 hrs, Flinders St, from Railway Building, Safety Zone at Swanston St. Progressive view to No 11 (missing from this album). Front truck about to leave after 10 minutes, rear truck remained parked.
11. Date 28/9/54, Time 0910 hrs, Spencer St, from roof of J S Gordon's near Flinders Lane, looking South. Three Northbound & 2 Southbound tramcars held up by truck caught in Southbound traffic when turning into lane.