THE OBSOLETE TRAMWAY
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—After reading Mr. A. M. Sayers' letter on tramways in your issue of May 1st, I should like to point out that tramways possess important advantages over 'buses, which make the former not only to be tolerated, but in most cases to be desired.
Less effort is required to move a vehicle with rigid tyres running on a rigid surface thSn to move a similar one fitted with non-rigid tyres. Secondly, the tram cannot skid side- ways whatever the weather conditions. Thirdly, the trams do not damage the road surface. Hence a heavier and more capacious vehicle can be run on rails which are made to bear large stresses than on an ordinary road. Some sections of tramway are now laid on sleepers at the side or in the diddle of the road, and this form of construction may become more usual when extensions are made.
The smooth running of an eight-wheeled tram is not likely to be surpassed (or even equalled) by that of any 'bus. Over the petrol 'bus the tram has the additional advantage of electric traction, which gives high accelerations and efficient use of power.
Considering the position of tramways in ordinary street traffic, the definite path of the tram reduces the chances of .misunderstanding ; also the clearance between a tram and another vehicle need only be about half that between two teerable vehicles under similar conditions and with equal safety. The clearance between trams can be made very small with perfect safety. (For this reason a sleeper-laid tramway requires less space than a corresponding high-speed road ; similarly for a subway.) The danger of tram rails to other traffic (including bicycles) is very small if reasonable care is taken, and should be greatly outweighed by the safety of trams already explained. The " disfigurement " caused by tramways is a matter of opinion.
must admit that I do not consider overhead wires beautiful, but there seems to be little opposition to them now. On the other hand I consider the rails are beautiful and not obtrusive.
PStopping-places, however, are most unsatisfactory both for assengers and road-users, but in wide roads this can be (and is to some extent) remedied by providing narrow islands dose to the tram lines.—I am, Sir, &c., 11 Gordon Road, Exeter. G. N. SOUTIjERDEN.
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