Tram closure ‘disaster’ for retailers

stretch of its central city route because work to strengthen five units on New Regent St was also blocking the tracks until the end of the month.

Antony Gough, the developer behind The Terraces, said the street closure would be ‘‘disastrous’’.

‘‘That cannot happen. It is absolutely unacceptable for the tram loop to be closed,’’ he said.

‘‘Once New Regent St reopens and we are away from the tourist season then they should come back to do the work.

‘‘We fully support the tram operators.

‘‘We can’t close them down.’’

New Regent St Business Association chairman Ross Oxnam said the closure would hurt city centre shops.

‘‘That would be a significant blow to customer numbers in the city centre and will have a significant impact on trade for New Regent St and the central city as a whole,’’ he said.

‘‘We underestimate the impact of the tram on creating business for the city centre. Businesses on New Regent St are in full support of the tram company and its ongoing battle to keep tram lines open throughout the busy season.’’

Welcome Aboard tramway operations manager John Smith said the track closure, from March 29, would be bad for business.

‘‘It would leave us with bugger all to run,’’ he said.

‘‘The tram route would just be a straight line from the Canterbury Museum and back, which is no circuit at all.’’

Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) director Baden Ewart said they were working with tram operators on the timing of the work.

‘‘We are currently working out the best way to complete the final portion of The Terraces section of the Avon River Precinct that has the least impact on taxpayers in terms of delay and cost.’’