Traffic Arrangements At Station

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29350, 1 November 1960, Page 25

Traffic Arrangements At Station

The above plan shows the traffic island layout and parking facilities at the new Christchurch railway station, the completion date for which has been set for the end of March, 1961. Today, the only portion of the plan in operation for motorists will be the service road which runs along the length of the station frontage. The cost of the Moorhouse avenue reconstruction has been estimated at about £45,000. As the avenue is a State highway, the whole cost of the project will be met by the National Roads Board. Car-parking facilities for 80 vehicles, expected to be in operation in the New Year, will be metered and be the responsibility of the Christchurch City Council. The final plan is a joint effort by the Ministry of-Works and the

Christchurch City Council, with the Railways Department providing land for off-street parking. Detailed construction plans are being prepared by the Ministry of Works, which will carry out the work. Full loading facilities are available immediately in front of the station by the use of the new service road, movement along which is from east to West. This road has been zoned into sections for taxis, buses, and private cars. Access to the station frontage is gained directly from Moorhouse avenue east and Madras street, but from the west the approach will be made by turning right from the waiting lane direct to the service road. To leave the station, motorists will travel the length of this road to where they can proceed directly along Moorhouse avenue west, or make a right turn into Moorhouse avenue east or Manchester street.

A narrow island will separate traffic using the service road from traffic using Moorhouse avenue. The next step in construction will provide a landscaped central island, also running the full length of the station frontage. Both islands will be constructed with temporary kerbs to allow for observation and any necessary adjustments. The islands will make the service road independent of the main thoroughfare by providing two unrestricted lanes in each direction with turning lanes at intersections for Moorhouse avenue traffic. - Six lanes—three in each direction —could ultimately be provided by reducing the landscaped island width and restricting parking. Temporary stopping by private cars will be permitted along a portion of the station frontage

; but persons wishing to park for i any length of time will have to . move directly from the station I front into the car park, or drive I straight into it from Moorhouse I avenue or Manchester street. The car park, which is still in [ the next stage of development, ' will be on railway land made ■ available when the old station buildings to the west of the new station have been demolished. • This land will have an ultimate 1 capacity for 80 vehicles. The park ) will be metered and controlled ■ by the City Council. It is ex- ■ pected to be in operation by the - New Year. Goods vehicles using the station will also be separated from the main thoroughfare and both j goods and normal station traffic will then enter Moorhouse avenue by means of outlets at a point opposite Manchester -street. It is ? planned that this intersection will i be controlled by traffic signals if j required.