NEWS RELEASE
6 November 2008
Feedback sought on plan to open mall to buses
Wellingtonians are being asked what they think about proposed central city changes, including once again allowing buses
through Manners Mall.
The changes – outlined online at www.Wellington.govt.nz and in booklets available at libraries – aim to strengthen the
Golden Mile and provide a more direct and obvious public transport route, reducing delays for bus users. They include
altered bus and general traffic routes, relocated bus stops, new traffic lights on the three pedestrian crossings in
Courtenay Place, more than 50 new on-street car parking spaces mainly in Dixon and Wakefield streets, and street
improvements in lower Cuba, Wakefield, Mercer and Dixon streets and at either end of what is now Manners Mall.
The proposal to allow buses to once again travel the length of Manners Street in both directions would significantly
alter the mall. A roadway would be developed down the centre with wide paved footpaths on either side, much like those
at the Willis Street-end of Manners Street. General traffic would continue to use most existing routes but would no
longer be able to turn right from Victoria Street into Manners Street.
The Council’s Urban Development and Transport Portfolio Leader, Councillor Andy Foster, says preliminary discussions
over the last few months with a wide range of people and organisations have been largely positive
“We believe these proposals potentially have significant benefits for shoppers, retailers, bus users, cyclists and
pedestrians but we are very keen to hear what Wellingtonians think of the idea before we consider this further,” he
says. “We are also taking this opportunity to find out what people think of plans to extend the 30kmh speed limit that
already exists in Lambton Quay and Willis Street to the rest of the Golden Mile – Manners Street and Courtenay Place –
to help make the city safer for pedestrians.”
Cr Foster says re-routing buses through Manners Mall would restore the Golden Mile – which runs from the bus terminus in
Lambton Quay, through Willis Street and Manners Street to the Embassy-end of Courtenay Place.
The route was traditionally the main retail and public transport spine Trams and then buses used it until the late
1970s when Manners Mall was built and north and southbound routes diverged – heading into town along Dixon and Willis
streets and out, via Mercer, Wakefield and lower Cuba streets.
“Internationally, public transport systems work best when routes are obvious and an important part of that is making
sure buses travelling in each direction share the same roads,” he says. “A more direct route with fewer difficult
corners and congested intersections will significantly reduce bus travel times through the CBD and help improve the
reliability of the service.”
The Council is looking closely at all aspects of its operation at the moment and has some tough decisions to make over
the next eight months about priorities and spending as it reviews the Long Term Council Community Plan (2009-2019),
which Wellingtonians will get to comment on next year.
The roading and street improvements being proposed to strengthen the Golden Mile can potentially be funded over the next
five years using money that has already been budgeted for bus priority and urban redevelopment work and it is likely
some aspects will attract New Zealand Transport Agency funding.
City Councillors will consider the proposal early next year along with the feedback from the community and depending on
the results of the consultation, the project will be assessed against other projects.
Council staff will be in Manners Mall to answer questions on Friday 21 November, 8am-5pm, and Saturday 22 November,
11am-3pm. Feedback is required by Friday 5 December.
ends