5 MAY 1950, Page 5

The re-planning of Cambridge, on which I have recently said

something, involves so many authorities that the danger that talk may replace action for months or years to come is serious. It is satisfactory, therefore, that that influential body the Cambridge Preservation Society has already formulated its views on the Consultants' proposals, and satisfactory too that those views are in the main favourable. • The Society welcomes in particular the pro- posal to build a new bridge at Chesterton for London-Ely traffic and

urges that it be given major priority. It also approves, with some modifications, the new road curving off through Emmanuel Street across Jesus Lane and across the river to Castle Hill, and appeals to Jesus to accept with public spirit and in the interests of the University the detriment to part of its grounds. This will dispose of any necessity for widening the " spine " road, which runs through Cambridge from the station, past Emmanuel, Christ's and Sidney and over Magdalene Bridge to the Huntingdon Road. The Society commits itself uncompromisingly to the view that " the streets in the centre of Cambridge should be narrow." Probably they should if Cambridge is to retain its character, but unless the traffic problem is to become completely insoluble parking in streets like Trinity Street, Market Street and Petty Cury ought to be as rigidly banned as in the yellow-band streets in central London.

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