Reaction mainly favourable

Press, 4 December 1985, Page 7

Reaction mainly favourable

Initial reaction to the proposed $5 million gondola cablecar complex on the Port Hills has been mainly favourable. Some residents in the Bridle Path Road and Port Hills Road area, near the site of the planned tourist facility, are worried that it could generate too much additional traffic and noise problem. Others welcomed the idea as something that would enhance and brighten the area. The Heathcote County chairman, Mr Oscar Alpers said, “I’m quite excited about it. We have been kept fully informed as the proposal has been developed and the people behind the project have been at pains to keep it acceptable to everybody. “I don’t expect any public opposition to the proposal,” he said. “There has been a positive feeling about it among my fellow councillors. No-one that I know of is antagonistic.” The Mayor of Lyttelton, Mr Mel Foster, said, “I have no positive reaction one way or the other at this stage. “Provided it meets all the

necessary criteria, fits in with the environment without contravening any bylaws, and falls in line with the thoughts of the council in promoting the area, it would seem all right.” Reaction was more mixed from residents close to the site of the proposed cablecar complex. Mr Les Bloxham, of 28 Bridle Path Road, said he was appalled by the proposal. “It threatens to vandalise a beautiful and historic rural area,” he said. “The public already have excellent access to fine, panoramic views of the harbour and city from the Summit Road.” A gondola with its pylons running up the Port Hills would be superfluous and an eyesore, said Mr Bloxham. It could also be a dangerous distraction for motorists at the point where it was planned to cross the Summit Road, he said. The toboggan and grassski slopes would undoubtedly generate extra traffic and noise and would totally ruin the existing pleasant approach to the Bridle Path. Mr Bloxham said he would oppose the scheme

vigorously. Another resident, Mr Norman Sheppard, of 18 Bridle Path Road said, “We hope it will not go through because, being so close, we would certainly be affected by the noise of vehicles and doors slamming.” He and his wife had moved to the area because of the relative quiet and they were concerned about the possibility of losing that asset, he said. He was also worried about what the complex would do to the value of nearby properties. An elderly couple who have lived close to the cablecar proposal site for 40 years were not unduly concerned. “We will learn to live with it,” they said. “We have seen the construction of the tunnel and the blasting that went with that, so this project won’t make any difference to us.” Mr Peter Chiverton, whose property at 10 Bridle Path Road would be taken over as part of the site if the project gets approval, would make no comment other than to say, “We are resigned to it.” A number of people in the

Flinders Road and Heathvale Place area welcomed the idea. Some had been warned about the proposal but many heard of it for the first time yesterday. “Our first reaction was one of horror,” said a woman in Flinders Road, “but after thinking about it we realised what an excellent idea it is. It’s not likely to affect us much, anyway,” she said. Mrs Doreen Henry, of Heathvale Place, said, “I think it’s a marvellous idea. There is lots of open space up there and it should be used for something—and Christchurch certainly needs something like this to bring more tourist dollars into the area.” The president of the Summit Road Society, Mr John Jameson, said, “We have no comment to make at this stage. It is an interesting proposal but we have not discussed it as a committee. “The whole thing has to go through the necessary planning stages and we would expect to be kept informed and to be allowed input at various stages,” he said.