This video about traffic in the Sydney CBD from 1965 is wild... https://youtu.be/qUW5lPUoYH8
The most striking scene for me is the intersection of George Street and Martin Place. Today it's my favourite intersection in the city, as it's the intersection of two pedestrian streets and surrounded by beautiful sandstone buildings and trees. But back then, it was a three-way traffic sewer. And probably moved less people than it does now.
More pics in 🧵
Another intersection with a striking difference is the corner of George and Druitt streets. Back then, out the front of the Queen Victoria Building was a two-lane slip lane and a tiny traffic island. Both streets are filled with traffic.
Today, the slip lane has been replaced with a plaza & statue. George Street is now car-free - pedestrian/light rail only. Druitt Street is 30km/hr and has 2 dedicated bus lanes.
There's still a long way to go, but I'm proud of how much this city has achieved.
At the end of the video, the narrator explains how to fix the traffic:
- Move deliveries out of peak times
- Build dedicated loading docks in buildings
- Build more expressways
The first two are alright but in no way a full solution to the problem. The third is some classic 1960's logic for you 😄
The crazy thing is that even back then, with such horrible streets, the CBD was filled with people walking. It's insane that no-one thought to cater for them first. So much car-brain back then.
@SydneyCyclewaysFan thank you, that was kinda heartwarming, in some ways.
It's a shame no bloke with an equally plummy voice was making videos saying the commercial vehicles are the useful ones, what are all these private cars doing here anyway?
