City tram route extension sought

Christchurch property developers are calling for an extension to the tram route to help regenerate a corner of the central city.

The tram route has stopped at the corner of High, Manchester and Lichfield streets since 2015, but developers Richard Peebles and Mike Percasky want the route extended through Poplar Lane to the end of High St where it meets Madras St, as was the plan before Canterbury’s earthquakes.

The council previously stated this extension would cost $3 million.

The extension would make the tram pass the Duncans buildings in High St, which Peebles and Percasky are developing to provide a mix of office, retail and hospitality spaces. The development will include boutique shops with cafes and bars.

In a submission to the council’s 2017-18 draft annual plan, Peebles said the tram was important for helping urban regeneration, but the council’s budget to 2025 did not include funding for a tram extension as was planned before the earthquakes.

Percasky said he was in negotiations with tenants for the Duncans buildings and they were all told the tramlines would reach the end of High St, as initially proposed.

‘‘We feel the lack of the tram tracks in this part of High St could be detrimental to signing these tenants up.’’

Tracks extend along Lichfield, Poplar Lane and part of High St, but were not quite completed at the time of the February 2011 earthquake.

The Tramway Historical Society – which supplies five of the six trams operating on the route through a subsidiary – also wanted the route extended.

Society president Graeme Belworthy said in a submission that the tram was important for tourism and central city businesses.

‘‘The tram has once again become a symbol and icon of the city, well recognised by the council as shown on the cover of this year’s draft annual plan.’’

He said several major developments around Poplar Lane had been completed in the past 12 months and many buildings were now occupied by several hospitality businesses, along with Vodafone and Kathmandu.

A council spokeswoman said $174,000 had been budgeted over the next two financial years for the tram, but that was to finish off works for the existing route, terminating at Manchester St.

Welcome Aboard managing director Michael Esposito said he wanted a long-term solution that suited everyone.

Christchurch’s post-earthquake transport plan changed Tuam St to an eastbound one-way road, meaning the original route extension needed to be reconsidered.

Esposito said the company had not talked to the council about possible routes because there was no funding allocated for an extension.