Central-city transport plan OK’d
Lichfield Street is set to become a hive of retail activity after Council last month passed a report to stem traffic flow in the central city.
Initial traffic modelling by Council staff has shown that making Lichfield Street a two-way street would have little impact on the city’s transport system and enable the slowing of traffic, which would in turn encourage more businesses to open in the area.
The Central City Transport Concept plan has also paved the way for Council officers to begin an overhaul of the central city’s transport system and streets in a bid to encourage a pedestrian-friendly downtown while still retaining access to all modes of transport. In some cases traffic will slow to 30km/ph.
The plan is part of Council’s vision of attracting 30,000 residents to the central city.
In the main, the plan is focused inside a core central city area bounded by Kilmore, Madras, Lichfield, Cambridge and Durham streets.
Outside this core, several precincts are identified, including areas around the Arts Centre and Victoria Street. These will also be the subject of speed restrictions and pedestrian-friendly upgrades.
Car parking is a priority in the report and the vision is to have it zoned into three areas. Short-term parking will be available in the core while those wanting to stay longer in the central city will be able to park on the periphery of the core.
The Bus Exchange, which is of concern to Councillors as it is expected to reach capacity by 2008, is also included in the report. Council staff will continue to look at ways of making the current site more effective as well as investigating other possible sites for it.
While the report was passed, the projects outlined in it, such as a City Mall upgrade, will be evaluated alongside other works and prioritised as part of the Council’s draft long-term community plan for 2006-16. That document will be available for public comment around May next year and finalised in late June.
A Central City Transport Working Party is to be set up and will include representatives of key stakeholder groups. Mayor Garry Moore has approached city retailer John Suckling to lead this party. |
