Proposal to declare a section of Korikori Green a Pedestrian Mall
Feedback updated 10 Aug 2021
We asked
In January/February 2021, we asked the community if Korikori Green (a road in Rototuna North connecting North City Road and Kimbrae Drive) should be declared a pedestrian mall. This would mean a section of Korikori Green is closed to through traffic, unless prior permission from Council has been given to open Korikori Green to vehicles in relation to an event in Korikori Park or the surrounding area. The proposed change supports the development of the Rototuna Village, and the increasing number of people who travel through this area on foot or bike, and our focus on making our transport network safe for all.
You said
Over four weeks we received 154 submissions. Of those, 73% agreed with Council’s proposal to declare a section of Korikori Green a pedestrian mall. Some of the top themes to support this change were centred around making it safer for everyone; that it would prevent traffic issues such as speeding, those who use it as a short cut and when they result in traffic jams; that it will prevent cars using it to race along; and that it will promote walking and cycling.
We did
The pedestrian mall declaration and closure of Korikori Green to through traffic was brought into force from June 2021. This means the electronic bollards midway along Korikori Green are now raised. They can be lowered when vehicles need access to the park, such as when there are large sports events.
Published responses
View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.
Overview
STATEMENT OF PROPOSAL
Hamilton City Council (Council) is seeking community feedback on a proposal to declare a section of Korikori Green a Pedestrian Mall to limit through vehicle access between North City Road and Kimbrae Drive, except when there are events in Korikori Park or the immediately surrounding area.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Korikori Green is a road that was constructed in conjunction with Korikori Park and provides access and parking to the park. It also provides a link between the Rototuna Village and Rototuna High School and the surrounds to the north east of the village.
The structure plan for Rototuna and subsequent planning associated with the design and construction of Korikori Green anticipated this to be a ‘park lane’ to service the park and is not expected to operate as a key link in the road network.
A 30km/h speed limit was introduced on this section of road in early November 2020, along with Fergy Place and Micah Place – to reflect the high ‘place’ value of this area and the high numbers of pedestrians and cyclists that move through this area already, with the expectation that this will grow as the Rototuna Village develops.
A raised pedestrian platform with electronic bollards has been formed midway along Korikori Green to provide a link between two cul-de-sacs, which enable vehicles to turn around if the bollards are raised.
It was planned to generally have the bollards raised and to only lower them when Korikori Park is being used for events. There is still a need to formalise the ability to ‘close’ Korikori Green for a large portion of the day by having the bollards raised, so currently the bollards are sitting in the ‘down’ position, meaning that vehicles can drive freely through. This is contrary to the planned use of Korikori Green.
Temporary road closures (as opposed to a permanent road closure) are generally dealt with under the provisions of either two pieces of legislation:
- The Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closures) Regulations 1965.
- Local Government Act 1974, Schedule 10, Clause 11(e).
Both of these legislative provisions are aimed at short-term temporary road closures for events.
In order to ‘close’ Korikori Green to through traffic for a longer period, Council is therefore considering declaring a section of Korikori Green as a Pedestrian Mall under the Local Government Act 1974, section 336. The location is shown in Figures 1 and 2 below (use zoom functions to view in closer detail):
If declared a Pedestrian Mall under the Local Government Act 1974, Council can:
‘Prohibit or restrict the driving, riding, or parking of any vehicle, or the riding of any animal, on all or any portion of the pedestrian mall either –
(i) generally; or
(ii) during particular hours.’
Council is seeking feedback on the proposal from people in the community who may be affected by, or have an interest, in the proposed change.
PROPOSAL
Council are proposing to declare a section of Korikori Green a Pedestrian Mall to enable the bollards to remain up and limit through access for vehicles for extended periods of time.
It is proposed that:
The portion of Korikori Green mapped below be designated as a Pedestrian Mall. This means that driving, riding or parking any vehicle, excluding an emergency vehicle, a powered or unpowered transport device, cycles or e-bikes, or a vehicle with prior permission from Council, will be prohibited on all of the mapped Pedestrian Mall area.
These restrictions and prohibitions will remain in place 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, except where prior permission from Council has been given to open Korikori Green to vehicles in relation to a particular event.
REASONS FOR THE PROPOSAL
The key reasons for the proposal are so that Korikori Green:
- Is able to operate as a road that primarily services the adjacent Korikori Park and the associated activities in this area.
- Does not become a de-facto through route and short cut between Rototuna Village and Kimbrae Drive for traffic.
- Will be able to be safely used by pedestrians and cyclists for all movements and the bollards will only be lowered at the times that events are being held at the adjacent Korikori Park or surrounding area that require larger vehicles to move along Korikori Green, e.g. buses for competing sports teams.
OPTIONS
The following options have been identified as a means of achieving temporary road closures on Korikori Green. An analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each option is provided below:
| Option description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Option One - Do nothing. | ||
| • This option will allow vehicles to have unrestricted access along the full length of Korikori Green between North City Road and Kimbrae Drive. | • No cost to implement. | • Likely to have a lot of through traffic using Korikori Green as a short cut. • Does not support the intended use of Korikori Green as a safe and enjoyable place for people to walk or bike. • There is potential for increased speeds along the route at times when there are not vehicles parked in Korikori Green. |
| Option Two - Lift the bollards in Korikori Green occasionally. | ||
| • This option will result in Korikori Green being closed to through traffic occasionally – with limits on length of closure periods and frequency. • Temporary closures could be completed under the provisions of the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closures) Regulations 1965 or Local Government Act 1974. |
• Low cost process to enable Council to legally close Korikori Green for short periods of time. | • Unable to close Korikori Green to through traffic for extended periods of time. • Could cause confusion for people not familiar with the area who won’t easily know if Korikori Green is open to through traffic or not. • Would need to have signage in place to detour traffic times when Korikori Green is temporarily closed. • Would require formal application and public notification as per the Transport (Vehicular Traffic Road Closures) Regulations 1965 or Local Government Act 1974 requirements. |
| Option Three - Declare a section of Korikori Green a Pedestrian Mall. (Preferred). | ||
| • This will enable Korikori Green to generally be closed to through vehicles. • The bollards would be able to be lowered to enable through traffic when there are key events on in the surrounding area that have large vehicles (e.g. buses) that are unable to turn in the turning areas provided adjacent to the bollards. • Appropriate signage and electronic mapping systems would show Korikori Green as No Exit. |
• Provides flexibility for when Korikori Green is open or closed to through traffic. • Enables people walking and biking in the area, and along the link path from Hector Drive, to cross the Korikori Green safely and easily. • Creates an expectation that the Korikori Green is generally closed to through traffic and is therefore less confusing. |
• Pedestrian Mall declaration process is subject to Right of Appeal in Environment Court which could add time and cost to the process if an appeal to this process is made. |
Before making any final decisions, we’d like to have your input. You can give us feedback from 26 January to 28 February 2021.
NEXT STEPS
Council staff will collect and analyse all feedback at the close of the submission period.
The analysis of this feedback will be presented to the 24 March 2021 meeting of the Hearings and Engagement Committee. At meeting, submitters who want to speak to their written submission will be able to do so.
The Council will then consider all the views and make a decision.
RIGHT OF APPEAL
Under section 336(3) of the Local Government Act 1974, any person may, within one month after the making of a declaration of the pedestrian mall, or within such further time as the Environment Court may allow, appeal to the Environment Court against the declaration.
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