Tv Traffic Control Aka Durham (1960)

Use version on tape PM0113

M/Ss of a bridge over the River Wear in the city of Durham, County Durham, with the top of the Cathedral in the background; the Cathedral standing majestically on the hill above some trees, with the River Wear and a weir in the foreground. C/U of a stone panel with this inscription on it: 'Grey Towers of Durham / Yet well I love thy mixed and massive piles / Half church of God half castle 'gainst the Scot / And long to roam these venerable aisles / With records stored of deeds long since forgot'. Tilt up to show the panel is on the wall of a bridge; the river and Cathedral are seen beyond. M/Ss of streets in the city and the Cathedral spires.



M/S and C/U of a policeman standing in a control box in a street in the city, with traffic passing either side; commentator says "The city today already has one foot in the future with a revolutionary installation like the television traffic control system - the first in the world!" M/S of a closed circuit television camera mounted on the top of a street sign; C/U as we see; it is inside a metal box with a viewing window and window wiper attached. Commentator explains that "the police use TV cameras at certain vantage points to give them a comprehensive picture of the situation" of traffic flowing in and out of Durham through three main streets. M/S of a city street with constant flow of traffic; Arthur Nesbitt's Radio and Television shop is seen to the left as people walk up and down the street.



C/U of another CCTV camera mounted on the side of a building in Silver Street; high angle M/S of a bridge in the city where the left hand lane of traffic moves, the right hand lane waits at a traffic light. C/U of the policeman's white-gloved hand moving a lever in the control box which changes the traffic lights. M/S of the bridge again as the right hand lane of traffic starts to move; a nice 1960s tour coach is seen going through.



High angle M/S of traffic moving up an extremely steep and narrow street; C/U of the policeman changing a traffic light lever; M/S of the same street as we see traffic coming down. L/S of the Cathedral as commentator says "Here's a city with brains as well as beauty!"



Note: Extensive notes on the system on file, plus a small guide book. This issue has been transferred to Digibeta twice in error - also on tape PM0113 - use version on PM0113 - better quality.
FILM ID:109.08

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