Aerial walkway could improve city for many
Dunedin has some transport issues to consider once life returns to ‘‘normal’’. Bob Barlin looks at some ideas for the city.
THERE has been considerable discussion concerning parking, traffic flow, bus hub and bus movements, the pedestrianisation of George St, the positioning of the new hospital and the proposed harbour renovation/development plans. I believe that there could be a solution to all the above concerns by looking at the whole.
People are not going to stop using their vehicles unless they have alternative cheap, efficient and regular options. There are also people who are not served by close bus routes, especially those who live outside Dunedin city.
There is a lack of parking in the inner city, many spaces being lost to the new hospital, and another parking area being considered for hotel development. There needs to be an approach to meet all concerns raised above.
The prime development project that will mould the city for the future is the new hospital. Placed between state highways, there are access problems for traffic and pedestrians alike.
There will be a need for pedestrian traffic from the bus hub and from the car park on the eastern side of the rail line at the end of St Andrew St (this car park could have two or three levels added to it) to the hospital, the two supermarkets placed opposite the hospital, the physio pool, medical school and possible other venues.
Most pedestrians trying to access the hospital are likely to be older and many will have mobility issues that will be exacerbated with the need to cross busy roads.
We need to separate pedestrians from traffic, thereby providing safety to all users. This can be achieved by building an aerial walkway.
The aerial walkway would initially connect the bus hub and Countdown with the St Andrew St car park and the hospital. Further links should be developed so that New World, the physio pool and medical school are connected. Links could be then added to the main shopping areas.
The walkway itself would need access for all users, either stairs, escalators and/ or elevators. There could be a moving walkway as well.
This walkway needs to be fully enclosed and big enough to allow easy movements in two directions. It could include greenery, cafes and in time could also provide access to secondfloor businesses.
This walkway provides clear, safe and total separation between pedestrians and traffic, and allows access between main transportation and car park facilities and the hospital and shopping areas, thereby reducing and minimising traffic in the innercity precincts.
As we consider this concept, we should also consider the intent to develop the harbour basin and encourage family use.
By raising the St Andrew St car park two or three storeys, extra parking is provided. This could be enhanced by introducing a fleet of 10 or 12seater electric/hydrogen vehicles that could undertake a ring road, regular and cheap transportation service operating from the car park to the steamer basin, over the Jetty St bridge, up Princes St, along George St to North Dunedin and returning to the car park via various routes. Links to the South Dunedin area could also be introduced.
Financing is the key obstacle, and the funds to construct the walkway cannot come from the hospital build.
Perhaps those who benefit the most — the ORC, the DCC and NZ Transport Agency — should share costs. Other players could be the supermarkets and the university, and the public could also participate by having portions named after them.
This walkway separates traffic from pedestrians. It provides safe access through the city to benefit the hospital, various facilities, organisations and commercial interests. It encourages people to leave their vehicles and use alternative means to go about their business.