Mayor backs tramway idea

Press, 26 July 1989, Page 9

Mayor backs tramway idea

By

MICHAEL RENTOUL

The proposed Christchurch tramway could be environmentally pleasing and a significant tourist attraction, the Mayor of Christchurch. Sir Hamish Hay, says. He was responding to predictions it would invite a controversy such as that over the Port Hills gondola. Mr John Jameson, a director of the Christchurch Personal Guiding Service Co-operative, said Christchurch would “buy itself another controversy” with plans for a “rigid" tramline. Mr Jameson said he could perceive a link between a motorised tramway system and the guiding service.

There was no need to lay down tramlines. Motorised trolleys would provide the flexibility that tourists desired, and guides could accompany the tours, he said. Mr Jameson predicted a rigid tramway proposal for Cathedral Square, through Hagley Park to Mona Vale, would mean high costs, disturbance and long planning procedures. Such a scheme could usher in a controversy such as that over the Mount Cavendish gondola, said Mr Jameson, who is the founder of the Summit Road Society. The tramway was suggested by a Christchurch City Council traffic engineer, Mr Mike Gadd, and en-

dorsed by the council’s tourist transport committee in March. Sir Hamish said he had no doubt some people would “throw their hands up in horror” at another prospect of a road through Hagley Park.

The proposed route into North Hagley Park at Armagh Street to the Riccarton Road roundabout, was however, almost a road anyway. The track could be sunk in grass and be barely noticeable, he said. Using the restored trams at Ferrymead, as proposed, could appeal to tourists more than motorised trolleys. The trams would run infrequently. Sir Hamish said the tramway proposal was worthy of close study.