Mixed feelings about street’s future

Press, 26 June 1987, Page 7

Mixed feelings about street’s future

By

KAY FORRESTER

Should Kibblewhite Street be closed? That is the question taxing residents of the Lshaped street beside the Estuary in South New Brighton. The Christchurch City Council last year produced a comprehensive proposal for closing part of the street and redeveloping a reserve beside the Avon rivermouth. The area involved is the rightangle section between Bridge Street and the last of the houses in Kibblewhite Street.

It is a narrow, rutted stretch of road which is not wide enough to carry two cars safely, say resi-

dents who support the street’s closing. It is the only alternative access for residents of the area, other than Bridge Street, to the bridge over the Avon mouth and Dyers Road, say those who want it to stay open. The proposal was drawn up at the suggestion of a resident, said a senior town planner, Miss Diana Plesovs, yesterday. Comment was sought from interested parties and a public meeting held last September. In drawing up the proposal, the council was aware that the road needed improvement, she said. It was a question of whether it would not be more economic and more

sensible to close it. Closing the road would also allow improvement of the riverside reserve, she said.

The proposal to stop the road had been notified under the local government regulations earlier this year. More than 500 objections were received from city residents. The proposal had also been notified as a scheme change to the City Plan because it would mean using designated road for reserve. Thirty submissions in support and four against had been received, Miss Plesovs said.

The closing date for submissions was July 10. A hearing would be set

for submissions after that.

Two City Council notices have been posted, telling of the proposed closing. The reasons for closing are given. “To restrict through traffic from using Kibblewhite Street, which is a local road designed to give access only to adjoining properties.” Traffic should use Bridge Street and Estuary Road, the notice says, streets built to carry through traffic.

Those in favour of the street-stopping say it would be no inconvenience for residents. They believe the planned reserve would be an asset. Those opposed say it is

too far to “go round" by Estuary Road to get home. Bridge Street already carries enough traffic, they believe. It is important to keep Kibblewhite Street open in case an accident or disaster closed • Bridge Street, they say. The area already has enough reserve land.

The council plan includes work at intersections on Estuary Road and Bridge Street and at the corner of Kibblewhite Street and Falcon Street to accommodate heavier traffic.

The developed reserve would include picnic grounds, a cycle track, and walkway. Three parcels of land are involved.