Slower traffic, safer pedestrians

Completing the roundabout at the Church Street/Square intersection is the next task in the streetscape development from Church Street through to Main Street.


The upgrade involves new kerb and channelling on all sides of the roundabout and the construction of a small median island at the pedestrian crossing.


The work is intended to slow traffic at the intersection and make the immediate area more pedestrian friendly.


The road also needs to be regraded to meet the new kerb height.


Project Manager, Tori Stableford, says work on this step of the development should be completed early next month.


Attention will then be focused on completing the flagstone paving on the Civic Administration side of the Square leading to the completion of the work from the CAB to Main Street and then on to the Square side of the roadway back to Church Street.


It involves decorative paving on both sides of the road, completing the raised platform from the CAB to the Customer Service Centre, beautifying the central median with gardens including flax and native grasses and completing the Church Street roundabout following the installation of kerb and channelling at the corner.


Additional features include improved street lighting on the Square side of the roadway and from the base of the CAB that straddles the roadway and seating in front of the Customer Service Centre.


The upgrade is intended to increase safety at the intersection through the installation of the roundabout, reduce the speed of traffic and beautify the immediate area.


Tori explains that the redevelopment will create a different environment in the immediate area. While there’ll be fewer car parks, there is parking close by and the retail, business and hospitality attractions are all within easy walking distance.


“We want people to enjoy the total Square and not just walk around it,” she says.


“In providing this experience we want to emphasise pedestrians and cyclists and discourage motorists for using the Square for through traffic.


“Motorists are welcome in the Square for retail and business purposes but, as far as possible, we want them to use the ring road if they want to get from one side of the city to the other.”


The completion of the stage is scheduled for the end of March/early April.