The Press WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1972. Cathedral Square

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32848, 23 February 1972, Page 16

The Press WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1972. Cathedral Square

At last a definite step has been taken towards reconstructing Cathedral Square. The planning of major changes in the lay-out of the Square, and particularly in the flow of motor traffic, has continued for more than a decade. The late Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, a Christchurch City councillor, fostered the idea of redevelopment when he offered a prize for the best design submitted in a competition. Two plans have been before the council since the 1961 award-winning design was considered. Some of the elements of the first design survive; the principal amendments have been directed towards the exclusion of most motor traffic. The latest plan preserves access for buses and taxis, abolishes the circulatory pattern of traffic, stops the east-west flow of all vehicles except buses and taxis, and restricts the north-south flow of private vehicles. All this has had to be considered in relation to the use of adjacent streets.

More than three years ago the Local Authorities’ Loans Board approved the raising of $700,000 for the project Times have not favoured the raising of such a large sum, and public interest in the scheme has waned. The replanning of the Square has dragged on for so long that most citizens probably now take the cynical view that they will believe in the attractive sketch plans that have been promulgated from time to time only when they are put into effect It is to be hoped that there will be no further delays now that the plan has been given fresh momentum by the City Council

The Mayor has spoken of a desire to make the Square a quieter and more tranquil place. Most citizens will agree with him in principle. Traffic noise and congestion should certainly be reduced; and the Square should be used neither as a racetrack nor a parking lot

But it should not be forgotten in the search for tranquillity that the Square is the hub of the city, that it is a centre of activity, a focus for business, entertainment, and transport, and, on occasion, a place of assembly. An acre or so of paving stones will not make a city centre; ar d there is a danger that in the. battle against the motor vehicle the Square itself will become the main casualty. The city centre should not be allowed to become lie dead heart of the city.