High Street Roading Changes.

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What is New In High Street.

Rumour has it that the Unit next door at 141 High Street has had some sort of ownership change. Details are unclear at this stage. If CERA/CCDU and all the idiots in charge of the 2011 Earthquake recovery had done their job properly this unit would have been acquired and on sold to the Peebles Consortium. It would have been a better outcome for us all. This situation is still lingering on, after 12 years.

  • The CCC is in the process of deciding that our Lower High Street block should become a One Way. Another One Way? Christchurch is dominated by one ways. Our one way system has become overly intricate and confusing. (Many need to revert back to 2 way. ) It is one reason that the locals do not bother going to the CBD anymore.
  • The consultation was interesting to say the least. I alluded to it in my previous blog.
  • I was allowed 5 minutes to give my point of view. (I notice that Spokes and Living Streets had 10 minutes.) 
  • In my experience I feel that it lacks the vision that the Duncans Building needs as the last Heritage Row left in the south CBD area.
  • No analysis of vehicle numbers, or traffic movements /current patterns has been supplied, no group meeting has been called and no discussions have been had since 2019.  I want to see supporting evidence that this is a good idea.
  • -I note that a one way option was the only option given to us this time around, ie no 2 way option. 
  • There appears to be no strong Urban design team in the city attempting to pull the CBD together.  The Christchurch CBD  is a disparate collection of random “areas”
  • I would like to see a new CCC model where The Urban Design Team leads the design, planning, and roading options. And the community stakeholders are involved in the ongoing, small, gradual, and incremental changes that need to be made.
  • The current model as evidenced by the latest proposal is “design something, in private work with CCC’s selected stakeholders, dump it on the businesses at short notice, inadequately consult and make a decision.“
  • A one way is a convenient and simple solution for CCC planners and traffic engineers, given High Streets angled aspect, but it  is not the best solution.  It Is a old fashioned 1970’s solution. We have far too many poorly designed one way streets already.
  • A customised local solution is necessary.
  • Aim:  A considered, ongoing, thoughtful, design lead approach in  partnership with  the stakeholders to achieve our full potential as a  unique , vibrant, character, boutique Area.
  • I suggest we do this a different way.  Do this project gradually, Make us a trial area, for a new Urban Design led model for the whole city.  ( I note that the CCC is quite happy to Trial a one way In Gloucester Street.) This offer was not on the table.
  • Make small incremental changes, see how they work i.e. temporally trial it and tweak it, watch and see how the businesses and block develops. 
  • This Heritage area is already unique and is slowly developing a distinctive personality as a boutique, niche area with lots of attitude.  It needs help to get to the next level of development.
  • Let the CCC Urban Design Staff build an ongoing relationship with stake holders, where  continuous consultations are the norm and changes made are incremental, fixing the urgent issues first.  

Dream on. But What would I know!

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