23 December 2010

Turning lane opened as 160 Manchester demolition progresses

A turning lane at the intersection of Hereford Street and Manchester Street will reopen today (Thursday 23 December) as demolition work progresses on 160 Manchester Street.

Traffic management is this afternoon being reorganised to allow eastbound Hereford Street vehicles (coming from the Square) to turn left into Manchester Street and head north towards Bealey Avenue. Access will also be reinstated to a number of businesses in the area.

Christchurch City Council Inspections and Enforcement Unit Manager Gary Lennan says Council staff have been working closely with the building owner and his demolition contractor in an effort to have the cordon reduced.

"We are eager to see the cordons removed from around the demolition site and reinstate vehicle and pedestrian access to Manchester Street and the intersection at Hereford Street.

"However, the most important aspect is the protection of public safety, and these cordons will not be removed until it is safe to do so."

Mr Lennan says it is the responsibility of all building owners to make the necessary repairs to or removal of earthquake-damaged buildings, before the Council can take away any safety cordons or traffic management measures.

"We have been meeting regularly with Richard Peebles, the owner of 160 Manchester Street, and his demolition contractor. Today a structural engineer has assessed that enough progress has been made on the building's demolition to partially reopen the intersection. We will continue working together and the Council will assist the demolition process where possible," Mr Lennan says.

Building owner Richard Peebles and his demolition contractor, Southern Demolition, have been working hard over the past fortnight to ensure this turning lane could be opened before Christmas

Mr Peebles says the majority of the demolition work for 160 Manchester Street was in removing the top two floors and work is now progressing well.

"We have been working hard to bring the building down as quickly as possible and the next goal is to open pedestrian access on the west side of Manchester Street in the new year.

"We understand the inconvenience caused by the cordons and we are working as quickly as possible. We will continue working with the Council and keeping staff up to date with progress, so the cordons can be removed as soon as it is safe to do so," Mr Peebles says.

Many contractors and demolition companies across the city will take a break over the Christmas holiday period, with work to continue in the new year.

ENDS

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