More off-street parking

Press, 9 August 1982, Page 29

More off-street parking

The adequacy of parking has been the main bone of contention in the development of the City Mall. I.n closing-off parts of Cashel and High Streets about 80 on-street parking meters were removed. But, according to the Christchurch City Council, this loss is more than compensated for in the lease of 47. spaces adjacent to the Lichfield Street car park and the metering of 40 spaces in the former reserved parking area on the Tattersals site.

The number of long-term spaces in Lichfield Street parking building and the'continued progress on the Cashel Street car. parking building, have helped to relieve parking problems. In addition, several sites have been acquired by the council near Tuam Street to ease the strain on the C.C.C. public car park. The net effect has been that slightly more parking spaces have been created although there appears to.be reluctance by some people to use the parking buildings. Consideration is also being

given to the construction of a multi-level parking, annex alongside both the Lichfield and Cashel Street parking buildings. Service vehicles

When the development of the mall started in January, 1982, and parts of Cashel and High Streets were closed-off to all but essential traffic, the retailers also had to adjust to suit vehicle restrictions. Goods vehicles servicing the shops must adhere to the council hours of loading and unloading before.il a,m. and after 4 p.m. Some of the smaller businesses have also been granted restricted authorisation, to use their own vehicles for servicing.

Motorists The initial reaction when Cashel Street was closed-off was for motorists to use Manchester Street. Latest traffic counts reveal that after a period of 12 months motorists have adapted and this has eased. In spite of this, the council realises that the corner where High, Manchester and Lichfield Streets meet is still a critical intersection . for traffic congestion.

Various alternative schemes are being considered by council to alleviate the problem. One possibility is to remove some of the existing bus routes to neighbouring streets.