18 August 2006 1 page

Council to look again at undergrounding in Jade Stadium area

Removing overhead cabling on a set of streets near Jade Stadium and putting them underground will be reconsidered by the Christchurch City Council.

On Thursday the Council considered a request from its Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board to look again at policy for funding of undergrounding.

Board chairman Bob Todd said there had been an understanding with residents at the time the western stand of Jade Stadium was developed that the Council would look favourably at their area for undergrounding.

The Charleston Neighbourhood Plan involves a programme of improvements for a cluster of streets east of the stadium. The community board recently agreed that final design, tendering and construction should begin for kerb and channel renewals in Barbour, Grafton and Henry streets. Also in the cluster are Frederick, Grenville and Laurence streets.

The Council decided it would not re-visit the entire issue, but instead would ask staff to look specifically at how it might finance undergrounding in that one area. Mr Todd and John Hoskin, chairman of the Charleston Neighbourhood Association, met Mayor Garry Moore and Council staff after the Council meeting and were happy with the outcome.

"We welcome and commend Council on the resolution and also the Mayor who has given an undertaking that the whole project will proceed to the original plan,” Mr Todd said. “We appreciate the fact that Garry will try to make sure that the plan goes ahead so by the time of the World Cup in 2011 the area will be pristine for visitors from around the world.”

Mr Hoskin said people in his area would be pleased to hear the news. "We've fought long and hard for this project and are highly delighted at the prospects of this plan coming to fruition,” he said. “The community board and the neighbourhood group appreciate the Mayor becoming involved in this issue.”

ENDS

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