Oxford Terrace 'for people, not parking'

People visiting the newly opened bars and restaurants along Oxford Terrace are being reminded no parking is allowed along the shared street.

“The paved sections of Oxford Terrace are designed to be shared by pedestrians, cyclists, the trams, and goods and service vehicles accessing the businesses along there and in Cashel Mall. They are not designed to be parking areas,’’ says Christchurch City Council Transport Operations Manager Steffan Thomas.

Oxford Terrace is designed as a shared street.

Oxford Terrace is one of a number of new 'shared streets' in the central city and parking is not permitted on shared streets except where specifically resolved and signposted.

“Recently an increasing number of vehicles have been spotted parked along Oxford Terrace in the evenings, particularly in the section between Cashel Street and Hereford Street where a number of new bars and restaurants have opened.

“We’re taking an educational approach at the moment and placing advisory notes on the windscreens of vehicles found parked there in the evenings, informing the drivers that parking is not permitted,’’ Mr Thomas says.

“Next month, if the problem continues, we will shift to an enforcement approach and begin ticketing vehicles parked illegally.’’

Council are continuing to enforce the restrictions during the daytime.

Mr Thomas points out that there are a number of parking buildings located close to Oxford Terrace - including Council's Lichfield Street Car Parking building, which is open 24/7 and where the first hour of parking is free - so there is plenty of off-street parking available in the area.

“We want Oxford Terrace to be a people-friendly area where people can enjoy the views of the river and the vibe created by the new bars and restaurants without having to duck around parked cars.’’