What's happening in the shopping centre?

Wellington City Council have put some more information on their Island Bay Parade Upgrade website about the work that is going on in the shopping centre over the next four to five weeks:
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"During October and part of November 2015, we will be raising the two existing zebra crossings to footpath height and putting in speed humps (cushions) on either side of each crossing. 

Traffic will be down to one lane at each end of the shopping centre, 9am–4pm, for four to five weeks while this happens. This will mean delays at times.

At peak times, the road through the shops will be two-way.

These particular changes were recommended by the Island Bay Cycleway community working party and are designed to make the shopping centre safer for pedestrians, drivers and people on bikes. They will reinforce the 30km/h speed limit. 

Both crossings will be altered simultaneously – one side of the road at a time starting on the eastern, or library, side. Changes will also be made to the south-bound bus stop near Avon Street.

The work includes:

• digging up and relaying sections of kerbline in these two locations to slightly widen the road
• resealing part of the footpath near the crossings
• removing the existing road surface (in the area of the crossings) one side at a time, putting in boxing, and pouring concrete
• repeating this process on the other side of the road
• repositioning the striped poles (and attached lights)
• removing a tree near the crossing at the south end of the shops and planting a new one outside the library

​In November, once the new raised crossings are in place, the road through the shopping centre will be resealed. We’ll then put in speed humps and new road markings.

The speed humps will be shaped so they can be straddled by buses to ensure a smooth ride. People on bikes will be able to ride past them."

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Please remember to support all the retailers in the shopping centre over this time, particularly the ones who are directly affected by having work happening in front of their shops and/or losing parking. If we can pull together as a community to get through some temporary disruption the end result will be well worth it! You can read more about the anticipated impact of the cycleway on local businesses here.