Anti-terror bollards will be installed near Christchurch’s busiest bar and restaurant areas.

Christchurch City Council signalled its intention to install the bollards in September last year and is now seeking public feedback on the bollards and its plan to turn City Mall into a shared zone.

Bollards will be installed to limit access to a high use public area on Oxford Terrace and will be placed on the south side of the Hereford Street intersection, in mid- 2021.

Three of the bollards will be retractable to allow authorised vehicles to enter.

The number of bollards is yet to be finalised.

The Council endorsed the installation of the bollards in the 2020/2021 Annual Plan.

In a council report it said “police consider the current afternoon entry time from 4pm to 11pm a safety issue as many people gather on the Terrace at this time.”

OTHER PROPOSALS

“City Mall is currently a pedestrian mall but we want to make it a shared zone area like Oxford Terrace,’’ says Council Transport Operations Manager Steffan Thomas.

“Oxford Terrace links directly to the City Mall so it makes sense for there to be a consistent environment. We think that will make it safer for all road users,’’ Mr Thomas says.

Under the proposed changes a 10km/h speed limit would be introduced in City Mall and cycling would be permitted.

Goods vehicles would be allowed into City Mall in the mornings only.

“Currently goods vehicles are allowed to access City Mall and Oxford Terrace between 5am and 10am and between 4pm and 11pm but we are proposing to restrict their access to mornings only when there are fewer people around and less potential for conflict.

“In the evenings there are often large crowds gathered around the bars and restaurants so there are potential safety risks if goods vehicles are driving through the area,’’ Mr Thomas says.

“Emergency vehicles and the tram will still be able to access the area at all times.’’

 The proposed changes would reduce the speed limit from 30 km/h to 10 km/h in City Mall and provide consistency with Oxford Terrace.  Cyclists will also be able to legally travel along City City Mall.

The public have until Thursday 18 February to give their feedback on the proposed changes to City Mall.