New car parks to alleviate parking congestion in Avonside Drive

11 July 2007

Work will begin next week to develop 90 new car parks at Porritt Park to help alleviate parking congestion along Avonside Drive.

In recent years the completion of a second artificial turf at the hockey park and a significant increase in the number of users of adjoining Kerrs Reach for water sports, has resulted in considerable pressure on available parks in the area.

Christchurch City Council Recreation and Sports Manager John Filsell says despite additional parks being created at Kerrs Reach, there is still pressure on parking in the recreational area.

"Grassed areas between Porritt Park and Kerrs Reach have been used for overflow parking and cars have spilled out into Avonside Drive creating problems for residents and motorists."

Mr Filsell says by adding 90 new car parks adjacent to Porritt Park this will increase the number of parks for hockey users from 24 to 114 and should help overcome the majority of the problems.

The cost of the project is $230,000.

The work will result in the removal of one mature tree from the recreational area and the relocation of seven smaller, less significant trees, but he says there will be additional plantings that will greatly enhance the Porritt Park/Avon River area.

"The ground for the car park will be levelled during the next few days and the Council apologises to neighbouring residents for any noise or dust pollution that may result during this time."

The project starts on 16 July and is expected to take eight weeks to complete.

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