Work on Square to be done by 1974

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32562, 23 March 1971, Page 1

Work on Square to be done by 1974

The redevelopment of Cathedral Square is expected to be substantially completed by the start of the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. This opinion of the city development committee was reported to the City Council last evening.

A revised scheme for the redevelopment had been provisionally established, the committee reported. It was based on present information and a more detailed assessment of requirements involving fresh surveys and discussions with most of those affected or involved in the scheme.

The parties included the Christchurch Transport and Fire Boards, the M.E.D., police, public relations office, War Memorial custodian, Christchurch Press Company, Government Tourist Bureau, Taxi Federation, Post Office and others.

“The proposals do not depart in any radical way from those adopted in principle for the district planning scheme. Certain major policy decisions will have to be resolved by the council before the scheme can be made final. “Foremost among these is the siting of public conveniences, rest rooms and creche.”

The basic road alignment and property access had been modified in minor detail and how appeared to meet the requirements, except for the Christchurch Transport Board’s objection, lodged with the Town and Country Planning Appeal Board, the report said. More kerbside bus stopping is made, and larger bus manoeuvring areas are provided.

The Transport Board’s objection is also based on the need for freedom of movement of buses in the Square. Although diversion of northsouth Colombo Street flows is not proposed, it is felt that this scheme provides for adequate traffic capacity, although at a low standard of service. The removal of the restricting corner column of Warners Hotel at ground level presents a problem and this or splaying of the complete building comer may need to be considered. The entrance of Worcester Street east into the Square, another point of possible conflict, can be controlled by suitable signing rather than signals which inevitably cause traffic queues in the Square. ' Pedestrian crossings have been reduced to a practical minimum and placed to function in the best possible manner. The most suitable way of illuminating Cathedral

Square is to use high-level mounted lighting, involving the use of eight 82ft masts, each mast' being equipped with four lanterns to accommodate 1000 watt colourcorrected mercury vapour lamps. It is proposed to floodlight the Cathedral from the roofs of buildings at four points on the perimeter of the Square —the Post Office, Government Life building, Warners Hotel and the future State Advances building. For the Godley Statue and War Memorial it is proposed to use local floodlighting with units at ground level.

The 16 existing ornamental lighting standards on the perimeter of the Cathedral grounds will be positioned to blend with the over-all architectural scheme as their contribution to the lighting of the area will be small. Taxi stands The main taxi pick-up stands are proposed outside Warners Hotel and in the north-western comer by the proposed A.M.P. site. The present capacity is for 14 taxis; provision is made in the scheme to maintain and, if necessary, increase this. The work is proposed to start in the north-east quadrant of the Square, thence to the north-west quadrant and then to the south-east where work on the State Advances

and Transport Board buildings should be finished and the quadrant clear. Once the reading pattern is completed in these three quadrants, the inner area would become available for development.