New final plan for Square development

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32847, 22 February 1972, Page 18

New final plan for Square development

A new plan for the redevelopment of Cathedral Square was approved by the City Council last evening.

The main differences since the lastannounced scheme are:

The parking area in front of the United Service Hotel will be reduced substantially and converted to a pedestrian area. Through traffic will be prohibited in the north-east quadrant at peak hours, as agreed between the council and the Transport Board. The design of the central pedestrian .area will be simplified and depend only on paving and tree planting.

The scheme was basically in accordance with recommendations of a special subcommittee of the Institute of Architects, the works and services committee said. The Automobile Association, Canterbury, had agreed that the parking area outside the United Service Hotel should be kept as small as necessary to cater for hotel traffic, but expressed concern about the possible closing of the road by Warners Hotel comer at peak hours. The Civic Trust was glad that the proposals were similar to those originally

suggested by it, the committee said.

“The previous council agreed to the roading pattern and a price for drainage | work in the north-east ' comer was obtained,” the committee said. “This was unrealistic and was not accepted. The works department is now in a position to call tenders for the kerbing, channelling, drainage and footpaths in the north-east quadrant and have these close in time for the March meeting.” Re-design of the Wigram memorial wall around the Cathedral was almost complete, the committee continued, and tenders for its relocation and reconstruction could also be available for the council meeting next month.

Street lighting details had not been completed, but the Municipal Electricity Department had proposals in hand. A loan of $700,000 had been sanctioned for the work and $150,000 raised. In addition, about $50,000 was held in the Cathedral Square improvement fund. Because of the simplification of the design of the Square, it was expected that the original estimated costs would be reduced. If the work was to be completed before the Commonwealth Games it was essential that it be begun immediately, the committee said. A model of the Square had been completed except for the central area. When it was finished it would be put on display for the public. Matters still requiring decision were the design of bus shelters, the siting and design of the Transport Board inspectors’ office and ticket sales buildings, and resiting of the men’s public conveniences.

The last could be delayed in the interim period, the committee said, but the Transport Board should be told that the council would not favour too many additional buildings. The council agreed that tenders be called for the kerbing. channelling, drainage and pathwork in the north-east quadrant and for the Wigram memorial wall; that legal steps begin to close the south-west quadrant to traffic; and that negotiations begin with the State Advances Corporation for the transfer or road widening. Cr R. M. Macfarlane, chairman of the committee, said

it was essential that something should be done promptly and March 31 was the deadline for any more submissions on the Square.