The Christchurch City Council is poised to retain the recent changes made to Gloucester Street, which were implemented in December between Manchester and Colombo Streets.

The modifications included the installation of planters, speed cushions, outdoor seating, a small stage, and painted sections of the road.

A Hearings Panel, led by Councillor Sara Templeton, was convened to review a report, consider public feedback on the plan, and hear verbal submissions.

The panel has recommended that the Council keep these changes in place, with a few minor tweaks, until permanent upgrades are made.

Among the recommended adjustments are:

• Modifying the layout after the removal of hoardings at The Court Theatre construction site, including adding five P10 carparks and one mobility park.
• Enhancing the visibility of the 10km/h speed limit with additional shared zone signage and markings.
• Moving planter boxes to improve visibility for drivers exiting the car park at 148 Gloucester Street.
• Extending the length of bus parking outside the Fable Hotel.
• Exploring the possibility of moving the Wahi Taiao stage and swapping it with other street furniture.
• Considering funding for permanent changes in a future Annual or Long Term Plan.
• Providing an update on the project 12 months after The Court Theatre opens.

Councillor Templeton said “I think the notion of this area being a ‘welcome mat’ to the Performing Arts Precinct is the perfect analogy”

Templeton also highlighted the importance of making the area safe for pedestrians, especially as foot traffic is expected to increase with the completion of the new Court Theatre building.

Public feedback on the trial, which was open in February and March, showed that 57% of submissions felt safer with the new layout, 46% wanted the shared zone to stay, 60% supported keeping the 10km/h speed limit, and 56% approved of the speed cushions.

Templeton said the trial’s lower-cost nature allowed for affordable adaptations based on feedback from local businesses and road users, many of which have been incorporated into the panel’s recommendations.

The project trial was 90% funded by the NZ Transport Agency through its Streets for People programme.

The Council will consider the Hearings Panel’s recommendations at an upcoming meeting, and if approved, the cost of making the changes is estimated to be approximately $110,000.