Minister To Decide On Latimer Square

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32324, 16 June 1970, Page 18

Minister To Decide On Latimer Square

The Minister of Lands (Mr Maclntyre) has another Christchurch parks and roading problem to resolve—at his own request.

Objections to the City i Council’s proposal to round I corners of Latimer Square closed last evening and 18 objections were received. Some were signed by several persons and one was a petition with 178 signatures. The City Engineer (Mr P. G. Scoular) said the original proposal of the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority was that Madras Street should be carried straight through the square. The council thought this was unacceptable and preferred diverting Madras Street around the east side of the square. It was also proposed that Worcester Street would be closed, but this had not yet been agreed on. So that traffic could be maintained at the “progression speed” of 27 miles an hour designed for the oneway streets system it was essential that the curves proposed should not be reduced.

The present lay-out of four right-angled corners was hazardous. Mr Scoular said that if the original proposals to deviate Madras Street, close Worcester Street and incorporate small additional areas in the park were followed there would be an increase of 36.5 perches in parkland. If Worcester Street were not closed there would be a decrease of 28.4 perches. The council, without discussion, consented to revocation of the existing reservation over the parts of the square proposed in the oneway street plan; and asked the Minister to declare the land available for street purposes. The Minister is still considering a request from the council for permission to proceed with the Harper Avenue deviation across North Hagley Park.