Tuesday 11 August 2015

Hearings Panel seeks a redesign of the Manchester Street bus shelter

A Christchurch City Council Hearings Panel has considered objections to a proposed bus super stop shelter on Manchester Street and has turned down all four design options.

The panel determined none of the options were appropriate for the location and have asked staff to redesign Option 3 – which does not have a canopy – to include an extension of the pod system. The panel determined the canopy structure in Option 1, presented as the preferred option, could unreasonably impede access to nearby properties.

"All four proposed options do not take into account existing and future buildings and the impact the shelter design has on access to them. Some valid concerns have been raised over the design of the bus shelter unreasonably impeding access to property frontages. We believe it is important to take a fresh look at the design and continue our conversation with affected property owners," says Hearings Panel Chair Councillor Jamie Gough.

The panel recommended an extension to the pod system, which is made up of mini shelters, to offer sufficient space to allow clear access to properties behind the shelters. The design team have been requested to engage with affected property owners in the redesign process.

The Manchester Street transport scheme, including the bus super stop shelter, was led by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) in partnership with the Council.

The Council, as the Road Controlling Authority, is required to convene a Hearings Panel to hear any objections on the shelter proposals under Section 339 of the Local Government Act 1974. The Hearings Panel today heard from four property owners who object to the proposed super stop.

Christchurch City Council and CERA consulted on proposed roading changes to Manchester Street in April and May 2015 as part of the An Accessible City transport projects in the Central Christchurch Recovery Plan. The proposal for a staggered super stop on the west side of Manchester Street between Worcester Street and Hereford Street was included in this consultation.

Councillor Jamie Gough says, "The Hearings Panel's considerations for today's decision were limited to potential issues around access. However, we are very sympathetic to the concerns raised by objectors about the location of the bus super stop and the perceived impact it may have on businesses and heritage buildings."

– ends –

General information about the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan and An Accessible City can be found at www.ccdu.govt.nz/the-plan

© Scoop Media