Speed bumps maybe next for George St

George St has been transformed into a series of dots and roads signs. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY
George St has been transformed into a series of dots and roads signs. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery
If motorists do not adhere to the 10kmh limit on George St over the long weekend, speed bumps could be installed.

However, Dunedin City Council chief executive Sue Bidrose said this week her staff were continuing to review the controversial public-health response, designed to encourage people to return as pedestrians to the city centre.

Two weeks ago yesterday, the council’s planning and environment committee approved (in a 9-4 vote) staff plans to allow city-centre businesses to extend into the footpaths and road-markings and 10kmh speed limits designed to allow people to walk through car parks and on to George St from Moray Pl to Albany St in a road treated as a ‘‘shared space’’.

Now staff were considering next steps for the temporary measures.

‘‘Do we put in speed humps? How fast are people going? People aren’t using [the road] for social distancing most of the time — only occasionally. What is the need? We are continuing to review that and will continue to advise the council,’’ Dr Bidrose said this week.

‘‘Every day we’ve been checking speeds, looking at pedestrian numbers — this is a long weekend, so there’s some particular interest in the numbers ... early next week we’ll be working out, ‘OK, what happens now?’

‘‘And we will be talking to the local retailers as we make that decision.’’

About 460 circles appeared in the city centre, alongside stencilled images of pedestrians, shortly after the decision was made to indicate the new vision for the roadway.

And a council spokesman said the coloured dots were painted on with just one coat, to ensure the measure was ‘‘easily reversible’’.

Despite some confusion at the planning and environment committee as to whether the NZ Transport Agency’s Innovating Streets for People Covid-19 Response Fund was intended for temporary projects, which led to Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins directing staff only to apply ‘‘for Government funding to contribute to any costs incurred’’ rather than the specific fund, Dr Bidrose confirmed the council had received agreement for 90% funding for the project through the fund for the temporary measure, meaning ratepayers would only pick up 10% of the cost.

While the project had been estimated to cost $40,000, only about 60% of that amount had been spent to date.

‘‘We can actually spend more than $40,000 if we want to, and we will get 90% back — but we’ve only spent $25,000 at this point,’’ she said.

Another aspect of city-centre life under Covid-19 Alert Level 2 — free parking — was also under review.

Free parking was racking up a revenue loss for the council of about $175,000 a month.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz

— Additional reporting Grant Miller

Comments

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Absolutely not!!! This Council is buying ridiculous now - who do they think that are. We need to start an uprising and get these people out.

If Bidrose is concerned call the police and get them to patrol the main drag and issue tickets, oh wait they too will think it it pathetic as well - Just admit it Bidrose you and the Council stuffed up yet again!!! instead of wasting more of poor Dunedin's money. Speed humps will be another waste of money, the only thing that would slow cars down if those who signed off on the dots, the speed limits and other BS things in Dunedin volunteered to become the Speedbumps. but unfortunately that would create large queues of traffic to test them.

Take the hint DCC. Drivers are not following the 10km limit because it's a ridiculous rule. The police are not interested in enforcement because they can see that it's a ridiculous rule. Are you sure you want to double down on a losing hand?

Well, speed humps work beautifully in Maori Road...One every couple of feet, has basically ended motor traffic along this road.

And we ALL know that is the intention of this council, right?..... Preventing any vehicle from ever entering George Street, so why not?!.....
Failing that, perhaps land mines could be placed?...Remember, the council knows best, Dunedin citizens are here simply to pay rates.

Oh the delemer, of it all.
People aren't walking all over the road like they wanted them too.
How about putting barriers on the footpaths forcing people onto the road.
That would slow the cars down and keep the few people walking the footpaths well away from each other as they walk between shops and the Malls.
Also I see the barndance crossings at the intersections are not helping.
If no predistian time was provided they would be more likely to wander over the road at will, as desired. That would help slow the cars down as well.

Hey Bidrose, I guess your tone-deaf to what the people are saying so I'll spell it for you in simple terms First, there are no cases of the virus on the South Island. There hasn't been a case in over 5 weeks. People have been social distancing since this whole thing started, we don't want nor do we need any assistance from you or the DCC in continuing with our efforts to stay safe. I realize you have a Ph.D. in Psychology. However, like many other Dunedin residents, I too have a Ph.D. I think my PhD in microbiology takes precedence & was more difficult to earn than yours. PhDs, especially in social sciences, aren't that hard to earn so spare us the condescending attitude and lectures on "whats best" for us. The bubbles serve no purpose. Now that they have been there you can see people aren't using them. Regardless of the cost, it's about listening to what the people want and spending the ratepayer's money in a competent professional manner. You and DCC aren't doing that! The bottom line, you folks need to find a different form of employment!

Its quite obvious this council under Hawkins ,Benson/pope and Bidrose want George st carless. The blue and red dots are at best odd and worse clownish and part of that justification was to assist with social distancing which is sneaky as its sheltering behind covid 19 fears. Hope young children dont get the idea they can play on the roads. (refer earlier ODT pic). The 10 km limit ...is it legal? ,is not being adherred too So road humps may be installed .More expense "Early next week we'll be working out ok what happens now"?. Maybe PLan D.

Aren't speed humps a trip hazard for all the loonies using the dots as a form of hopscotch? Has Ms Bidrose considered the slip and trip issue of speed humps in a semi mall? or is that just too logical for the greens?

lot of cars can not go 10km. tends to stall.. why are they not concerned about mosgiel main road? lot of people not social distancing there.

Am I correct in understanding that Sue Bidrose is saying she doesn't care how much money she spends because 90% of it is reclaimable from central govt (NZTA)? Dear god, this attitude is bereft of any responsibility and duty of care whatsoever. This is still money for goodness sake, what the heck is going here! How dare she tell us that because it isn't ratepayer money we shouldn't care. Ratepayers pay tax too, it is still our money.

Yep, you are correct. She doesn't care nor does anybody else. There is no accountability for them so they do what they want at our expense. Despite the PhD Bidrose is unqualified to do most things especially anything related to finance. It's one big social experiment designed to measure just how much abuse people will put up with.

May as well add some bumps , I no longer go near the town centre because the place is one big brain fart !!

The article and the comments show how RIDICULOUS it all is!
DCC get back to real work, please.

Get some of Jacinda's Enforcers. Non-compliant plebs can become speed bumps.

Quote: Bidrose... "early next week we’ll be working out, ‘OK, what happens now?’"

Barrier arms and speed cameras to monitor and raise funds, quickly upgraded to road spikes, and tasers for non-compliance.....they've only spent $25,000, they can spend more than $40,000 if they want...apparently, according to Sue.
As someone else stated here, the main street of Mosgiel hasn't had the same treatment, so there is an agenda behind this in George Street, that's why Sue had the 10km signs made BEFORE the council even voted on the plan. What a sham Bidrose, very transparent.

This "council" are barking mad, not only have they agreed to increase our rates and debt but they have already planned these "speed bumps", they are likely worse than the ones on maori road. They need to pull their heads in and actually do what the ratepayers (their bosses) say and not go off on greenie nice to haves.

Why don't we walk in front of cars waving red flags, to warn pedestrians of the presence of dangerous motor vehicles. Just to add to the visual clutter that currently maims our main street. It will be safer then also for the lions and tigers, candy floss stalls and the Big Top!

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