Time for bold change to revitalise central Dunedin

MOST cities in the world have learnt the lesson in recent years: they work better without being dominated by cars. Retail flourishes, quality of life improves.

There is absolutely no excuse for George St and the Octagon not to be fully pedestrianised — there are ample parallel routes, and with modal filters, key service vehicles could still have access where necessary.

The vocal minority who insist otherwise are dinosaurs from a bygone era.

Pointless painted dots and halfhearted ‘‘trafficfree Octagon’’ trials only serve to reinforce their view.

It takes real infrastructure change — the Dunedin City Council should be bold and give us a Dunedin that breaks our addiction to the motor car.

Additionally, it would be interesting to know who funded the independent review of the DCC plans. It is clear that Mr Mentz’s brief included ‘‘the ability of traffic to move through the area’’. Why was pedestrianisation not considered?

Dr Fraser Stephens

Maori Hill