Councillors vote to use $1.4 million for Gloucester Street “trial”
Christchurch City Councillors have voted to proceed with a $1.4 million “trial” on Gloucester Street.
In 2022 the Council was successful in its bid for 'Streets for People' funding from NZTA to trial 'improvements' between Colombo and Manchester Streets to make the area a shared space and low-speed environment.
Plans included changing the street to one-way westbound, widening the footpaths and creating space for gathering, performing and outdoor dining.
Council staff recommended to not proceed with the Gloucester Street Shared Space trial project.
It’s been on pause since April 2023 due to concerns from Central City stakeholders surrounding the proposal to trial a one-way slow street environment along the project corridor.
Although at the council meeting, staff appeared to struggle to articulate their recomendation.
Hornby Ward Councillor Mark Peters said, “I just don't think it's the right time to be trying a trial on Gloucester Street. There's too much going on in the way of changes like construction and heavy traffic going through."
Cashmere Ward Councillor Tim Scandrett said, “If there is an absolute right time, this is it.
“It's temporary, and I totally support the over foreshadowed motion that's coming in.”
Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Innes Ward, Pauline Cotter said, “this is an opportunity.
“We’re not using our own Council funding, but the Waka Kotahi funding, and you can say yes, it's taxpayer money.
“They're really committed to lifting the vibrancy of our cities around New Zealand, making them more people-friendly, people-centric.”
Photo: Christchurch City Council
Banks Peninsula Ward Councillor Tyrone Fields said, “I cannot fathom why you wouldn't proceed.”
Papanui Ward Councillor Victoria Henstock said, “I'm happy to support the staff on this recommendation because for me, it's about timing, and the trial doesn't make sense at this time. It's not saying no, not ever. We're saying no, not now.
“The issue for me is that any intel that we're going to be gathering during the trial period will be of no probative value to us. And I don't think that we should be spending money just because we can.”
Central Ward Councillor Jake McLellan said, “[This is a] subsidy of 90%, and it seems a real shame to let it slip through our hands.”
Mayor Phil Mauger said, “I do really like it when the government gives us money to do things right. But I still struggle with $1.4 million, which is coming to us, which is good, but for something that we might rip out in 10 weeks? I don't know - that's the only bit that I have trouble with. We had heard from stakeholders up and down the street at different ends of the street saying we're stuffing up the movement of cars and things like that."
“So I listened to them. I also listened to Aaron Keown who said until the new Court Theatre is functioning, we don't really know how much traffic is going to be there.”
Linwood Ward Councillor Yani Johanson said, “I support low-cost flexible interventions to understand how people use space to get the best value of the money that's been spent without central or local government."
“It's really clear there's good reasons to not proceed with this trial today. It doesn't preclude us from doing it in the future. And there's other communities that have far greater needs that deserve to get support."
An amendment to keep the street two way was overwhelmingly voting in favour.
