Thorndon Quay firms question parking changes

Thorndon Quay business owners are concerned parking changes on the road, which could see 131 spaces removed, or about half of the on-street parks, could mean fewer customers.

Wellington City Council approved a plan in April to change parking on the road from angled to parallel to increase safety for cyclists.

The changes will come ahead of a $30 million redesign of the road as part of Let’s Get Wellington Moving, which will include a twoway cycle lane and part-time bus lanes running in both directions.

Dale Scott of the Thorndon Quay Collective told Wellington City Councillors during a forum yesterday the changes could lead to businesses leaving the area.

‘‘The area is a destination shopping area and there is unavoidable reliance on vehicles for both business and customers, and for that reason access to car parking is a critical enabling factor,’’ Scott said.

‘‘If you remove that you will, in turn, hollow out the area because those businesses will simply relocate to Porirua or the Hutt Valley, and in doing so you will lead to thousands of vehicles travelling many extra kilometres a year.’’

The group suggested the council should consider different safety changes rather than parallel parking, including reducing the speed limit to 30kmh, installing mirrors and relaxing the angle of car parks.

But Patrick Morgan, a longtime cycling advocate, urged the council to get on and do something.

‘‘This is about justice. If the council can send a clear message that it is willing to act quickly to protect people on bikes, that would go a long way,’’ he said.