Town centre roading layout and removal of Wordsworth Street extension
The first stage of the roading changes for the town centre has been completed with the Tennyson Street upgrades and slow speed limit installed.
We are now working on an updated traffic layout for the town centre, which includes a proposal to remove the Wordsworth Street extension. These changes will further encourage pedestrian priority and reduce speeds through the town centre. Details of the proposed roading changes are set out below.
Tennyson Street one-way entry to car park
This entrance is proposed to be an extension of the raised paving recently installed at the intersection of Markham Way and Tennyson Street. Pedestrians will have priority along the Tennyson Street footpath, where cars enter the one way entrance to the car park. This also applies at the entrance to the reserve car park further along Tennyson Street.
This pedestrian focus is consistent with recent construction upgrades to Tennyson Street which now has a 30 km/h speed limit, significantly reducing the risk of harm to pedestrians from vehicles. It also has 3.2 m-wide traffic lanes, regular kerb extensions and raised platforms. This design creates a safe environment for cyclists when sharing the road with motor vehicles, so cycle lanes have not been proposed. While vehicle speeds will be low, the road will still have capacity for the forecast peak-hour traffic volume of 500 to 600 vehicles per hour.
Removal of Wordsworth Street extension
A key element of feedback from earlier community consultation was that a road through the reserve was not desirable. Following further investigation into the impact of the Wordsworth Street extension, we have developed a new concept which removes the extension. This will help create a more pedestrian-friendly environment across the town centre and encourage reduced speeds. People also told us that the street extension created a dividing boundary, which would reduce activity in the town centre and discourage pedestrians. A one-way entry into car parking areas is proposed to be provided off Tennyson Street. The proposed car park will incorporate large pedestrian promenades at least 4 m wide and vehicle access through the car park is maintained. Traffic is also proposed to be linked to the Moore Street and Rolleston Drive links.
Vehicle entries to the town centre car park
The main traffic entry is proposed to be from Rolleston Drive (entry/exit). The secondary entry is proposed to be a one-way entry from the 30 km/h Tennyson Street entry. As Tennyson Street is set to retain direct access off State Highway 1 (via a slip lane) this will bring traffic down Tennyson Street, which is important for the vitality of the town centre. Limiting access to ‘entry only’ reduces concerns with multiple conflicting traffic movements at the Markham Way intersection. Direct access into the car park areas from Tennyson Street helps people find their way around town centre activities and parking, and improves parking circulation, town centre servicing and emergency vehicle access. It also provides passive safety surveillance of the internal areas from the limited passing of traffic.
Pedestrian walkways through car parks
The town centre car parking areas are designed using a shared space concept. In New Zealand the term shared space generally refers to urban street designs i that reduce separation between pedestrians and vehicles − usually through the presence of a shared level surface − and the use of signs and markings associated with traditional traffic engineering. This type of design also makes vehicle speeds inherently slower and self-regulating. Raised threshold junctions between carpark aisles and raised pedestrian footpaths would give cars implied priority, as these junctions will not be formal pedestrian crossings or footpaths (where pedestrians have priority). Experience shows that many drivers will in fact stop and allow pedestrians to cross at these junctions because it will be a very slow speed environment, as currently happens in many car parks where pedestrians are walking on specific pathways and paved platforms and/or thresholds. The proposed separation of the car park areas means we can include more pedestrian routes than could be provided for in a single car park or in large open car parks. This type of design also keeps vehicle speeds low to improve safety.
Car parking
The master plan proposes 441 off-street car parks to service the town centre. These will be available for all users of the town centre. See further information below on the car parking area. Separate car parking is provided for Rolleston Reserve (a separate consultation process will be undertaken for Rolleston Reserve).
We’ve proposed car parking changes following feedback from businesses and relevant experts, who have advised the amount and location of car parking is important to ensure the sustainability of businesses in the town centre. This is a district-wide hub and residents from other areas of Selwyn and further afield will be visiting, likely by car. This information has informed the proposed car park layout and design.
Consultation has concluded
