Yesterday, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) released a summary of public feedback on its raft of proposed roading changes, aimed at making the area around Dunedin’s new hospital safer.
While the summary document reported views were mixed, some business owners told NZTA "reduced parking could threaten their viability".
Once the hospital opens, up to 10,000 pedestrians are expected in the area daily.
A Barnes Dance crossing, where pedestrians cross in all directions at once, is planned for Cumberland St (State Highway 1) and St Andrew St (State Highway 88).
Two traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings would cross Cumberland St outside Woolworths and New World supermarkets and the right turn from St Andrew St on to Cumberland St would be removed to accommodate more pedestrian movements.
South Island system design regional manager Richard Osborne said it was encouraging to see feedback was "largely supportive" of safety and efficiency enhancements, including the Barnes Dance.
There was less support for associated changes such as scrapping the St Andrew St right turn or removal of parking, Mr Osborne said.
"The new Dunedin hospital is going to be a very important development for the city, and our focus here has been mainly on SH88, including enhancing pedestrian safety near the new hospital."
During public engagement in July, 193 people gave feedback on the proposed changes.
Under the proposal, Frederick St would replace St Andrew St to become the new SH88, allowing safer access around the hospital and ensuring freight and through-traffic continued to move efficiently, the summary said.
Up to 16 Frederick St carparks, mainly near the SH1 corridor, would be removed in a proposal "predominantly opposed" by submitters, the document said.
"Business owners on Frederick St warned that the removal of nearby parking could significantly impact their viability."
Concerns about no alternative parking options were also common.
In contrast, supportive comments generally noted benefits to traffic flow and safety.
"A few respondents argued that removing parking from a state highway corridor was logical and necessary, especially to accommodate larger vehicles and reduce turning conflicts."
In Frederick St, Zenith Technology Corporation Ltd business manager Linda Folland said she thought the changes would have "quite a big impact" on the business.
"At the moment, it’s hard enough to find a park with the parking that’s available, because a lot of the hospital people and university people park down Frederick St as well."
She said communication about the proposed changes "hasn’t been that great".
Megazone Entertainment manager Tim Little believed his business would manage with reduced street parking because it had its own off-street parking spaces.
"But I do see how that would affect a lot of other businesses around here."
NZTA planned to refine the proposals before the end of this year and apply for funding early next year. — Additional reporting John Lewis
