City Council committee to consider pedestrian area controls review

A Christchurch City Council committee is to consider launching an urgent review of bylaws and licensing policies on street structures and associated activities in high pedestrian traffic areas, including City Mall and Cathedral Square.

The Sustainable Transport and Utilities (STU) Committee will debate it on 5 November.

If taken up by the Committee, and later endorsed by the full City Council, the review would include consultation with affected landowners and other interested parties, says Committee Chairman Denis O’Rourke. Later, the Committee and Council would then decide what changes, if any, should be made.

“Cathedral Square and City Mall are significant public open spaces,” Cr O’Rourke says. “Any review would aim to come up with a more comprehensive package, including a cohesive licensing policy and a clearer bylaw structure. As well as the Square and Mall, it could cover any heavy traffic pedestrian area in the city.”

The STU Committee will be asked to consider an urgent review that includes policies and bylaws in relation to street signage, street furniture and verandas; that considers the effects of existing policies and bylaws on blind and disabled people; and that considers the effects of existing policies and bylaws as a means of encouraging colour, life and vitality in the inner city.

The need for the review was identified during negotiations on an appeal to the Environment Court against the City Plan.

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