COUNCIL RECOMMENDS PLANS FOR PROPOSED NEW CITY STREET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18947, 18 December 1929, Page 13

COUNCIL RECOMMENDS PLANS FOR PROPOSED NEW CITY STREET.

The proposal to create a new street with forty shops between Gloucester and Armagh Streets on the site of the Colosseum was before the City Council last evening. The Council decided to apply to the Public Works Department for its approval to the plan. The Town Planning Committee reported that a scheme had been submitted to the committee providing for the construction of a new street between Gloucester and Armagh Streets on the site at present occupied by the Colosseum, Ltd. It was suggested that the proposed street should be 40ft wide with a 28ft roadway, and two 6ft footways. The promoters of the scheme proposed to erect forty two-storey lockup shops fronting on the new street. This new street would be formed in permanent materials, and in the opinion of the committee would serve to divert traffic from Manchester or Colombo Streets. It was recommended that an application be made to the Public Works Department for its approval of the laying out of the street. Councillor J. A. Flesher said that the Council should pause before it adopted the clause. To cut down a street to forty feet needed careful consideration. Councillor M. E. Lyons said that it was a broad matter of policy. This street would be right in the heart of the city, and he hoped that the Coun cil would hesitate to adopt the clause. Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., suggested that the service of the Town Planning Department be sought.

Councillor E. H. Andrews said that he would not be a party to refusing an opportunity to get a new street to give relief to the traffic on Manchester Street. Councillor F. R. Cooke said that if high buildings were erected there in years to come, the street would be a centre of disease. The matter had not been fully considered by the committee.

Councillor W. Williamson said that if the street was not approved, the syndicate would build an arcade, and he felt that a roadway would be much more convenient and suitable. The street would be of the very latest type of construction and would be an asset to the city. The Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) said that the Council could limit the height of the buildings to be erected. The clause was then adopted.