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Most public comments have supported the more progressive plan to remove cars from Wellington’s Golden Mile.
Wellingtons have overwhelmingly backed a radical plan to remove cars from the Golden Mile, significantly widen trails, and pedestrianize several side streets in downtown Wellington.
Nearly 2,000 people gave feedback on three options for the proposed changes to Wellington’s Golden Mile, part of the $ 6.4 Let’s Get Wellington Moving transportation program.
The majority supported the option of ‘transform’, the most radical of the three plans to reform the main commercial and entertainment area of Wellington.
The ‘transformation’ option would eliminate all public traffic from the Golden Mile, create dedicated bus lanes throughout the entire stretch, and widen sidewalks by up to 75 percent by eliminating parking spaces.
It also proposes the pedestrianization of the end of almost all the side streets that connect to the Golden Mile, including Tory Street, Lower Cuba Street and the areas surrounding Midland Park. Service vehicles would still be able to access the streets when needed.
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It would also create a shared zone next to the electric bike and scooter trail along Lambton Quay.
Applicants liked the significant increase in pedestrian space, along with the provision for bicycles and scooters, according to the LGWM report.
“This concept is fantastic as it strikes a balance between walking, cycling and bus transit. If implemented, it will strengthen the Golden Mile as Wellington’s main street and create a much better public space, ”said one of the participants.
Comments related to cost and economic benefits often said that they felt the cost was a positive investment and that the design, including the closed side streets, would attract more people and generate economic benefits.
Kevin Stent / Stuff
Lower Tory Street would become completely pedestrian, except for service vehicles under the ‘Transform’ plan.
“This would make the Golden Mile the center of cultural activities instead of shopping at the end of Lambton Quay and drinking late into the night at the end of Courtenay Place,” said another submitter.
Some people expressed concern that the removal of general traffic, parking and loading zones could have a negative impact on businesses in the area.
About 12 percent of those surveyed said they did not like any of the proposed options.
Kevin Stent / Stuff
Nearly 2,000 Wellingtons submitted the three proposed options.
“It’s completely crazy. It can also burn the city, ”said one person.
The other two proposed concepts were called “simplify”, which would make general traffic off the Golden Mile at the same time as buses more reliable, and would “prioritize”, creating two priority bus lanes along from much of the road, but would leave less room for walking and biking. .
The Golden Mile runs from Courtenay Pl, though Manners St and Willis Street, to the end of Lambton Quay. Despite its nickname, the stretch of highway is closer to 2.5 km or 1.55 miles.
