Panel endorses plan for upgrading Christchurch’s Hereford Street

A Hearings Panel is recommending Christchurch City Council proceed with a proposed upgrade of Hereford Street.

The Council sought feedback from the public in July last year on a proposal to upgrade Hereford Street between Oxford Terrace and Manchester Street.

An upgrade has been proposed for two blocks of Hereford Street.

Today, a Hearings Panel chaired by Cr Mike Davidson met to consider the 180 submissions received from the public on the proposed upgrade.

Just over half (54 per cent) of the submissions voiced support for the proposed upgrade, while about 44 per cent were opposed to it. A small number of submitters did not express a view.

Cr Davidson says after considering the issues raised by the submitters and advice from Council staff, the Hearings Panel has decided to recommend the Council proceed with the upgrade.

“The Panel’s view is that we need to take this opportunity to upgrade the street so that we provide an attractive setting for new and repaired buildings and an improved street environment for all users,’’ Cr Davidson.

“But we have heard loud and clearly that we need to make sure the work that we do aligns with the private development under way on Hereford Street. We don’t want to cause any unnecessary disruption or inconvenience for the businesses operating in the area and those that are in the process of re-establishing themselves there.

“We will need to take a coordinated approach and make sure that we get in and get the work done as quickly as possible and that we communicate clearly with businesses in the area through every phase of the planned upgrade,’’ Cr Davidson says.

The Council will consider the Hearings Panel’s recommendations at a meeting next month.