31 August 2004

Survey first step in Lambton Quay upgrade

A survey will be carried out in and around Lambton Quay over the next week as a project to upgrade the area gets under way.

Students from Victoria University’s School of Architecture have been employed by the City Council to carry out the survey. They will be asking around 250 commuters, shoppers and people who work in the area questions including what they like most about the area, what needs to be improved, how they got there and if they drove, where they usually park.

They will also be seeking information designed to make the area safer for pedestrians and motorists to tie in with the city’s seven-year SaferRoads project which aims to reduce the number of road crashes around the city by a third by 2010.

The upgrade will include all of Lambton Quay, the lanes that link it to The Terrace and all the side streets that connect it with Jervois Quay, between Willeston Street and Bunny Street.

City Council Urban Designer Hugh Nicholson says existing design features will be integrated into the project as much as possible. The design will also need to reflect the area’s many roles including its importance as a bus route. Improvements could include wider footpaths in some places, more paving, better lighting, more trees and seats and better public transport facilities.

Mr Nicholson says Lambton Quay is recognised as one of the country’s premier shopping streets.

“Over the next few years we want to make improvements that will make it an even better place to visit and shop so it will continue to be seen as one of Australasia’s ‘great’ streets,” he says. “At the same time we want to look at improving the side streets that connect this area to the waterfront.”

As well as the street survey, questions have been included in the City Council’s resident satisfaction phone survey this month. Council staff and representatives will also be talking with retailers, property owners, transport operators and other groups with an interest in the area over the next few months.

“We’ll be taking the information, suggestions and any concerns raised into account when we begin the design work later this year.”

Wellingtonians will get an opportunity to comment on the design in the first half of next year. Construction work is expected to begin later next year. It is likely to be carried out in stages over the next two years and timed to minimise disruption as much as possible.

ENDS

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