Trees in avenue reprieved

Press, 5 December 1985, Page 1

Trees in avenue reprieved

By

KAY FORRESTER

Bealey Avenue’s trees have won yet another reprieve, this time for as long as 12 months. The Christchurch City Council’s works and traffic committee yesterday opted to leave the avenue’s median and trees untouched during a six-month trial of improved road signs and markings. Among the improvements to be tried are overhead directional signs and overhead traffic lights, green arrow lights, and more directions painted on the road surface. To install the overhead signs and lights will take up to six months and the trial cannot begin until they are up.

Cr Ron Wright moved to defer reconstruction of the median until the suggested alternative had been tested. He said the council should try all options before changing the median and taking out trees. “If we have to do that in six months time we will look at it again. But let’s try the improved signing. It may well reduce the present confusion.” Of the 10 committee members at the meeting, five supported Cr Wright’s suggestion.

The committee’s decision went against council officers’ advice contained in a report on alternatives. The report was sought at the last .council meeting.

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