Wellington truck ban will cause economic harm

A PROPOSED BAN ON TRUCKS ON Wellington’s so-called Golden Mile (the route formed by Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners Street and Courtenay Place) could seriously harm the city’s economy, Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett warns.

It’s his response to a report by Let’s Get Wellington Moving (a joint initiative between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency) that, among its proposals, suggests that trucks and other delivery vehicles should be banned from the area.

The report ignores the significant impacts on commerce the plan will have and creates a greater public safety risk, says Leggett: “It shows a complete lack of understanding of how the city’s commerce works. By suggesting freight delivery vehicles will have to be parked some distance away from the receiving site, drivers and delivery people will be expected to move the goods lengthy distances along pavements – while being mindful not only of their own health and safety, but also of the apparently many cyclists and pedestrians using the same space.

“Wellington is not some European city with wide open spaces and plazas and equally wide thoroughfares. The Golden Mile is Wellington’s primary inner-city arterial retail canyon. It is narrow and that presents problems for the delivery of goods, not just to retail stores, but to coffee shops and restaurants, and high-rise offices and apartments.

“The side streets that have been delegated for delivery vehicles are totally unsuitable and will involve reversing and other manoeuvres that will compromise safety.”

T&D