Victoria St closing urged

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33051, 19 October 1972, Page 1

Victoria St closing urged

Victoria Street should be closed in the vicinity of the Town Hall and the Christchurch City Council should complement the scene by building new council chambers and a special shopping centre, in the opinion of Professor Gordon Stephenson.

Writing to the editor of “The Press” from Perth, Professor Stephenson, on whose recommendation the Town Hail site was adopted, said that from all accounts the opening of the Town Hall must have been a memorable occasion.

“But more importantly, it would seem you have a versatile and wonderful building,” he wrote. “What a difference it will make to life in. the city, and what a lesson for larger and more affluent communities. “Dr Harold Marshall (the acoustics consultant) was not certain of the future of Victoria Square, but he gave me the impression that there may be a compromise scheme under discussion, and that this would leave vehicular traffic crossing the graceful

Victoria Street cast-iron bridge.

“I sincerely hope the City Fathers will not accept such a scheme." Professor Stephenson continued. “The motorcar is a great convenience, but it should not be allowed to reduce the quality of city life. The Town Hall must be one of the few examples of a redevelopment scheme which has greatly improved the quality of life. “It will give much greater enjoyment if it overlooks a park'-like square freed from the domination of moving vehicles. SHOPPING CENTRE “1 also hope the city will proceed to build new City Council chambers and a special shopping centre. The new building, complementing the Town Hall, would close a long vista, eliminate the diagonal road and provide the northern edge of what could be one of the world’s most beautiful city squares.”