Trial to begin on Gloucester Street

Work to make Gloucester Street more people-friendly and inviting is about to get underway.

From Monday 13 November contractors will be installing paint, speed cushions, planters, seating, other street furniture and lowering the speed limit to 10km/h in the section between Colombo and Manchester Streets.

Ninety per cent of the cost is being funded through Waka Kotahi’s Streets for People programme, aimed at making low-cost and rapid changes to streets ahead of permanent upgrades.

The site was chosen as Gloucester Street is home to the city’s Performing Arts precinct, and connects to the bustling New Regent Street, Tūranga, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Whiti-reia Cathedral Square, and will become home for the new Court Theatre when it opens in May next year.

Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Jacob Bradbury says the trial will help the Council understand how the changes will affect the area before any permanent work is considered.

“We are very keen to hear what people think about the changes once they’re installed so we’re really encouraging feedback during the trial,” he says.

“We’ll also be actively monitoring traffic and watching to see how people move through and use the area. This helps us see what works and what doesn’t, and we can quickly make changes based on feedback.”

Once installed, people will be able to provide feedback via Kōrero mai | Let’s talk.

A trial was due to be launched earlier this year, however it was put on hold due to concerns about the one-way design from some stakeholders.

In September Christchurch City Councillors moved a motion to continue the work with a design to allow for two-way traffic.