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Swap Shop open for information
People wanting more information about the Council’s proposal
to swap the functions of Lichfield and Tuam streets can call into
an information shop at 179 Tuam Street. The shop, in the old Lichfield Shirts building east of the Council’s
Civic Offices, will be open until 2 August on Mondays from 5-
6pm, Wednesdays from 12-1pm, Fridays from 1-2pm and on
Saturday 6 and 20 July from 12-2pm. Council staff will be there
to answer questions. The Council considers that the advantages of the swap deserve
discussion and debate, so public consultation is occurring until 16
August. All feedback will then be analysed and a report presented to the
Sustainable Transport and Utilities Committee and the full Council
towards the end of the year. A decision then will be made
whether to go ahead, and whether any changes to the proposal
are needed. If it goes ahead, the swap would also need to go through a legal
process – a hearing of submissions by an independent
commissioner -- to allow for changes to the City Plan classification
of the roads. If the swap goes ahead, construction would most
likely begin in late 2004. The proposal The plan would change Lichfield Street and a section of Oxford
Terrace from one to two-way, and Tuam Street from two-way to
one-way. The changes would start at Hospital Corner and extend
eastwards as far as Fitzgerald Avenue, with three intersections
undergoing significant change. The plan aims to meet the Council’s Central City revitalisation
objectives, especially those to do with improved pedestrian
amenity, less traffic in the city core, better use of historic buildings
and an improved river environment. The proposal’s objectives also include contributing towards
more efficient public transport system and savings for ratepayers,
getting a balanced outcome for road safety, traffic, cyclists, public
transport, pedestrians and the environment, and working with the
public and businesses to optimise the benefits and minimise any
disadvantages from any changes. Special meetings are being held with groups and organisations
which may be directly affected by proposed changes. Invitations
have been sent to a mailing list. If your group or organisation is
interested in attending a meeting, please contact the City Council
as soon as possible. For more information on the swap plan, call 941 8748 or go
to www.ccc.govt.nz/LichfieldTuam/ on the Internet. Brochures
containing a submission form are available from the Council’s Civic
Offices, service centres and libraries. |