Improvements on the cards for Gloucester Street

Christchurch City Council is considering making temporary improvements to the busy block of Gloucester Street between Colombo and Manchester streets.

The proposed improvements are primarily designed to make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross Gloucester Street.

If approved, they will be financed through the Council’s Enliven Places Programme budget, which is used for temporary placemaking projects that help create, attractive, fun and interesting spaces in Christchurch’s city centre.

Gloucester Street is a common crossing point for people making their way between two of the central city’s most popular attractions – the Margaret Mahy Family Playground and Tūranga.

Many of those crossing Gloucester Street choose to do so  mid-block rather than using the formal crossing points at the Gloucester Street/Colombo Street intersection and the Gloucester Street/Manchester Street intersection.

On Wednesday, the Council’s newly established Urban Development and Transport Committee will consider a report which recommends installing two informal pedestrian crossing point build-outs on Gloucester Street mid-way between Colombo and Manchester streets.

The report also recommends adding more seating, landscaping, cycle stands and extra wayfinding so that it is easy and enjoyable for people to get around. The estimated combined cost of these improvements is $60,000.

Following a request made by elected members during the last term of the Council, staff have also investigated options for including an “extra unique feature’’ in the Gloucester Street improvements.

Staff are suggesting the Council add a child-friendly wildlife theme to the proposed crossing and seating build-outs by installing a large sculptural pukeko on either side of Gloucester Street.

It is a playful take on a pukeko crossing, reinforced by adding pukeko crossing images, bird footprints on the two crossing build-outs, and wetland planting.  

The cost of this additional feature would be up to $20,000.

Read the report on the Gloucester Street Amenity Improvements.

11 December update

After considering the report, the Committee decided not to proceed with the proposed improvements.