Council passes amended City Mall design concept

14 December 2006

Christchurch City Councillors today passed an amended City Mall concept design, meaning staff will now undertake a special consultative procedure to hear the view of the general public about two one-way slow roads on High and Cashel streets, and what function the roads may have.

The roads might just be for cyclists and emergency and service vehicles, but could also include the tram and general traffic.

Today’s decision means the Council has now agreed to the design concept of a City Mall upgrade and work can begin on detailed design plans to come back to Councillors for signoff – probably in March 2007.

Isthmus consultant Garth Falconer says these plans will provide much more detail on the proposed City Mall upgrade.

“The plans will also answer questions on traffic management, the tram, materials and planting,” he says.

Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore says he is absolutely delighted with Council’s foresight in putting an integrated and comprehensive plan back out to the public.

“The whole idea of the City Mall upgrade has always been to encourage retailers, people and residents back into the central city,” Mr Moore says.

At the meeting Councillors also approved the installation of a concrete base along a portion of High Street that would occur during construction; the base would initially be covered by pavers that could be uplifted and reused should tracks need to be put in for a tram extension. A report on the viability of expanding the tram in the central city is due before Council by June 2007.

Council Central City Planner Maurice Roers says it is hoped that construction of the City Mall upgrade will begin in June 2007.

“It is expected the entire project will take three years to complete.”

Top of Page ~ Media Release index