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: Decision made
Open for feedback: 18 January 2021 to 18 February 2021
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Hearings Panel recommendations - 18 March 2021
A Hearings Panel is recommending that Christchurch City Council proceed with plans to turn City Mall into a shared zone, and allow goods vehicle access from 4-5pm daily, as well as the 5-10am access time originally proposed.
Newsline story following the Hearing that was held on Thursday 18 March 2021(external link)
Minutes of the Hearing can be viewed here(external link)
Council is expected to consider the Hearings Panel report on Thursday 13 May 2021.
Proposed access changes to City Mall and Oxford Terrace. Update: 12 March 2021
We received feedback on proposed access changes to City Mall and Oxford Terrace from 18 January to 18 February 2021
A Hearings Panel will meet on 18 March 2021 to hear from those who have indicated that they wish to speak to their submissions.
One hundred and seventy nine individuals, organisations and businesses provided feedback on:
- Changing City Mall from a pedestrian mall to a shared zone, including a 10 km/h speed limit
- Limiting the access of goods vehicles to between 5am and 10am daily on Oxford Terrace, from Hereford Street to Lichfield Street, and City Mall.
Most submitters supported the proposed changes but staff are recommending that, in addition to between 5am and 10am daily, goods vehicles should be permitted to enter City Mall from 4-5pm each day to meet the needs of businesses in the afternoons.
Trams and emergency vehicles would be able to access the area at all times. All other motor vehicles, except those which are authorised e.g. for rubbish collection, would not be permitted to enter.
Hearings Panel agenda and report [PDF, 15 MB]
The Hearings Panel will consider all submissions and the staff report before making recommendations about the proposal to the Council.
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