We’re making it safer for people walking and gathering along Oxford Terrace and City Mall. We're proposing to create consistent rules along Oxford Terrace and City Mall.

Project status: Closed for feedback
Open for feedback: 18th January 2021 - 18th February 2021

Statement of proposal

Pedestrian mall to a shared zone

We’re making it safer for people walking and gathering along Oxford Terrace and City Mall.

We're proposing to do this by:

  • reducing the speed limit in City Mall to 10 km/h
  • restricting goods vehicle access times to mornings only between 5am and 10am daily
  • allowing people to bike through at a slow speed
  • changing the legal status of City Mall from a pedestrian mall to a shared zone. This would extend the shared zone on Oxford Terrace.

We will also be installing retractable bollards at the intersection of Oxford Terrace and Hereford Street. Emergency vehicles and the tram will still be able to access the area at all times.

Location plan

Proposed extension of shared zone on Oxford Tce to City Mall

Talk to the team

If you would like to discuss this project with the team, please join us.

Date: Thursday 28 January 2021

Time: between 12.30pm and 1.30pm

Location: Bridge of Remembrance

What the proposed changes look like

  Current City Mall (Cashel Street and High Street) Current Oxford Terrace (Hereford Street to Lichfield Street) Proposed shared zone in City Mall/Oxford Terrace
Speed limit 30 km/h 10 km/h 10 km/h
General vehicle access No No No
Cyclist access No Yes Yes
Goods vehicles

5am to 10am and 4pm to 11pm any day

5am to 10am and 4pm to 11 pm  any day

 5am to 10am any day

 

Bollards to improve safety along Oxford Terrace

Bollards will be installed to limit access to a high use public area on Oxford Terrace. They will be placed on the south side of the Hereford Street intersection, in mid- 2021. Three of the bollards will be retractable to allow authorised vehicles to enter. The number of bollards is yet to be finalised.

The Council endorsed the installation of the bollards in the 2020/2021 Annual Plan. These bollards will reinforce the existing approved entry restrictions to Oxford Terrace by motor vehicles.

We propose to restrict entry to Oxford Terrace (and City Mall) to all motor vehicles at any time with the following exceptions:

  • Trams
  • Emergency vehicles
  • Council-authorised vehicles (eg maintenance vehicles)
  • Goods vehicles to service businesses between 5am and 10am daily. (A goods vehicle is a motor vehicle that is designed exclusively or principally for the carriage of goods, or used for the collection or delivery of goods in the course of trade).

Safety concerns

The Police consider the current afternoon entry time from 4pm to 11pm is a safety issue as many people gather on the Terrace at this time.

The proposed changes would reduce the speed limit from 30 km/h to 10 km/h in City Mall and provide consistency with Oxford Terrace.  Cyclists will also be able to legally travel along City City Mall.

Location of bollards

Location of bollards

OPTION ONE: Shared Zone in City Mall and changed access times to Oxford Terrace and City Mall (recommended option)

This option is considered the most effective because it improves safety in the predominantly pedestrian environment in these streets and means restrictions in City Mall, are consistent with adjacent Oxford Terrace.

 Advantages:

The shared zone status will align with the Oxford Terrace changes by:

  • Reducing the speed limit to 10 km/h (which also enhances safety in the area);
  • Providing legal access for cyclists;
  • Reinforcing parking restrictions; and
  • Restricting goods vehicles to mornings only has the advantage of increased safety for users of this area at night-time.

Disadvantages:

  • Goods vehicles will not be allowed between 4pm and 11pm as currently permitted, which could inconvenience some businesses; and
  • Apart from trams, emergency vehicles and authorised vehicles, and goods vehicles between 5am to 10am, no other vehicles will be allowed entry.

 

OPTION TWO:  Retain the pedestrian mall in City Mall and keep the status quo

Advantages:

  • Businesses in the area can still have evening deliveries with access by goods vehicles in the evenings between 4pm and 11pm; and
  • Cost savings in signage as no changes required.

Disadvantages:

  • The 30 km/h speed limit in City Mall is less safe for pedestrians;
  • The inability to restrict access to high use public areas on Oxford Terrace also makes it less safe for pedestrians; and
  • The speed limit and cycle access rules are inconsistent with Oxford Terrace.

The proposed changes to revoke the current pedestrian mall status require a special consultative procedure under section 336 of the Local Government Act 1974. There is a right of appeal to the Environment Court under section 336(3). This right must be exercised within one month after the Council makes the declaration to revoke the pedestrian mall, or within additional time allowed by the Environment Court.

The right of appeal will only apply to the revocation of the pedestrian mall status.  It does not include any other matters consulted on in relation to the proposed shared zone – and the proposed changes re access times. General submissions will be considered by a Council Hearings Panel in March 2021.

Timeline

18 January 2021 - Consultation opens

18 February 2021 - Consultation closes

March 2021 - Hearings

April/May 2021 - Council decision

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