The main thoroughfare in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, is slated to become car-free by 2023 after local authorities decide on the most ambitious reform option available to them.
The sidewalks on Wellington’s “Golden Mile” will grow by up to 75%, cyclists and pedestrians will be given preference and two bus lanes – one in each direction – will allow further public transport. It is expected to cost between NZ $ 52 million and NZ $ 79 million.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster said the decision would “future proof our city and make it even more attractive in the future”.
Tamatha Paul, a councilor who represents many of Wellington’s younger and more progressive residents, said she “fully supports” the plan but said it needs to be accompanied by other “downtown redesign” projects.
The local authorities had three options. The decision to go with the car-free plan came after a patchwork of groups, including environmentalists Generation Zero and quality of life advocates Talk Wellington, asked residents last year to speak to decision makers. Of the 2,000 public submissions submitted, a decisive majority was in favor of the car-free variant.
However, it is being rejected by some in Wellington’s retail community who are concerned about decreased patronage and are concerned about the lack of detail in the announcement.
“There are hundreds of companies along the Golden Mile that will be affected, but no information about access to service and delivery vehicles, taxi ranks or the flow of traffic,” said Simon Arcus, General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce.
Foster promised local authorities to work closely with the business community while the details of the plan were ironed out. “With any change there will always be pain,” he admitted. “Our job is to minimize this pain.”
Foster was also under pressure over reports of violence and sexual crimes in the city center. He wants to renovate these areas with the car-free plan.
The plan is part of a larger NZ $ 6.4 billion transportation project called Let’s Get Wellington Moving, which has recently been heavily criticized for delays and skyrocketing costs.
Daran Ponter, a key figure in the project and Chair of the Greater Wellington Regional Council, said: “We are now seeing the first tangible results of Let’s Get Wellington Moving, which has taken longer than anyone expected. The rubber is finally on the road. “