Merivale Village

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33422, 2 January 1974, Page 12

Merivale Village

Sir, —To which section of the City Council can one appeal for action on conditions developing in the Merivale shopping area? How far does the trader’s right to space extend beyond his shop front? A newcomer keen to solicit custom has begun to occupy the centre of the footpath for display and advertising; another displays a bold sign from the roof of his car parked on the road. County councils permit stalls only at fence line and signs that comply with explicit regulations. Does ths City Council have similar requirements? Add to these obstructions and eyesores the hazards experienced from young cyclists who ride on busy footpaths with seeming impunity; from drivers whose double-parked trucks completely impede visibility or whose heavilyloaded waggons scream through at high speed, even at peak hours. The “free” car park is now too free to protect cars from damage, and the litter about several foodshops makes a mockery of our title "Garden Centre.” —Yours, etc., MERIVALE VILLAGER

November 30, 1973. [The Town Clerk (Mr J. H. Gray) replies: “The Merivale shopping centre is suffering the effects of traffic noise and congestion and there does not seem to be any real alternative at present to the continuing growth of traffic on Papanui Road. There have been a number of complaints about this recently. The only possible answer is to separate the heavy traffic from the shopping area, but this does not seem to be within the resources or will of the community at present. Regarding the alleged display on the footpath, a check made on

December 21 did not show any infringement of the bylaws in this area, and earlier checks over many months have given the same results at the time of inspection. It is, however, proposed to carry out some evening and week-end inspections over the next few months.”]