16 June 2005

Slow road for New Brighton Mall supported by Community Board

A new slow road to reopen New Brighton Mall to traffic has been supported by the Burwood-Pegasus Community Board seven years after it was first mooted to revive a flagging retail area that was once the darling of weekend shoppers.

The one-way slow road, running beach-ward on Seaview Road, between Union Street and Oram Avenue will include 21 parallel parking spaces and crossing points for pedestrians. It must now be approved by the next full Council meeting before work can start.

The road is one of 11 top priority projects outlined in the wider New Brighton Revitalisation Master Plan that was released in September 2002, after an extensive consultation involving a series of public meetings and presentations to the Council, says the Council project manager for New Brighton Mall, Jeanette Ward.

Many of the revitalisation projects were running in parallel with the mall upgrade while others, due to the longer planning times needed, would take a little longer.

“Feedback from the community regarding the Mall upgrade has been hugely positive with most businesses saying they can’t wait for work to start,” Ms Ward says.

The slow road will be about six metres wide, positioned closer to the north side of the mall to maximise the sun on the south side for pedestrians and café seating. Granite rumble strips at various points will help emphasise the low speed environment, with a mixture of 5-minute and 30-minute parking restrictions – depending on adjacent businesses.

The much-loved Pohutakawa tree will be relocated with the existing palms to provide a gateway effect at the entrance and exit to the slow road. The children’s playground will also be relocated to accommodate the slow road and several locations are being investigated for this. Decisions on this will be made in conjunction with the siting of several arts projects being suggested for the area, Ms Ward says.

Street furniture and landscaping details will also be more in line with the marine environment and provide a classic surrounding.

ENDS

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