And we wonder why people do not take public transport, as well as having well-being issues Poor Duncan (Garner from Radio Live @Garner_Live ) got knackered $68.20 taking his family … Continue reading Knackered (Done In) $68.20 for a Family Day Out
Month: June 2014
A Story of Downtown Auckland [Updated]
Past, Present and Future of Downtown Auckland On Wednesday I was at a presentation with Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse and Urban Design Champion Ludo Campbell-Reid on what might … Continue reading A Story of Downtown Auckland [Updated]
In a #BetterNZ a True Centre Right Government Would….
Not Announce a $212 regional road package that should have been ho hum standard work any way If the Government wasn’t proceeding with its rather bankrupting Roads of National … Continue reading In a #BetterNZ a True Centre Right Government Would….
Is Auckland Awake in Regards to the Unitary Plan?
Do we need some help when the Independent Hearings Panel gets under-way? The future of such complexes will be determined by the Unitary Plan Here we go … Continue reading Is Auckland Awake in Regards to the Unitary Plan?
Super Metropolitan Centre – A Redux
One Stop Shop for the evolution of the Super Metropolitan Centre A fellow reader and Tweeter was asking about the Super Metropolitan Centre concepts after I had raised them … Continue reading Super Metropolitan Centre – A Redux
Bledisloe Lane Upgrade
Upgrading a windy cold place into a more people friendly place
From Auckland Council
Bledisloe Lane transformation underway
Work has started on the upgrade of Bledisloe Lane to deliver an improved city centre laneway and enhanced access to Bledisloe House.
A popular thoroughfare for inner city workers, theatre-goers and tourists, the lane which connects Wellesley Street to Aotea Square has often been criticised for its dark recesses and gloomy, dated appearance.
The upgrade will transform the lane into a brighter and safer connection with new paving, a new glass canopy and façade to Bledisloe House at ground level and includes an upgraded pocket park on Wellesley Street. The existing canopy which significantly limits natural light will be removed in stages between June and September.
The upgrade also aligns with the relocation of the council’s Customer Service Centre from the Civic Building to the ground floor of Bledisloe House later this year. The introduction of new value-added interactions such as self-service kiosks, combined with the new location on the popular walking route, is set to deliver a new standard of service delivery for the centre.
Both projects share the vision of enhancing the public’s experience of Bledisloe Lane.
Auckland Council design champion Ludo Campbell-Reid says the upgrade is one of the many council projects realising the City Centre Masterplan vision to create a vibrant, better connected city centre that showcases Auckland as the world’s most liveable city.
He says Bledisloe Lane is a hugely important segment of what is described as the city centre pedestrian laneway circuit running from Aotea Square to the Waterfront.
“Currently the lane is well used, but its poor design quality does not encourage pedestrians to linger and enjoy the space,” says Mr Campbell-Reid.
“This situation does not fit well with the creative vibrant nature and potential of the Aotea Quarter cultural and entertainment precinct, or the kind of experience we want our Service Centre customers to have.
“Our plans to redevelop the lane, introduce a new service centre and redesign the Wellesley Street pocket park will transform the pedestrian experience”.
The design also considers future upgrades to Wellesley Street and the proposed site of the Aotea City Rail Link Station on Albert Street.
To expedite the construction works and ensure public safety the lane will be closed to pedestrians from late June to late September. Intermittent access will be allowed depending on construction occurring that day however customer access to New Zealand Post, Metro Centre and Bledisloe House main entrance will be maintained throughout construction.
The lane upgrade is expected to be complete later in the year.
Information about the upgrade project and pedestrian access during works is available on the Auckland Council website aucklandcouncil.govt.nz – search ‘Bledisloe Lane’.
—ends—
I am always a fan of the glass canopy in walking thoroughfares especially if you want to encourage people to linger on days like we having right now.
MIT Open Day Tomorrow
Nice for the free trains Auckland Transport but one small catch…. From Voxy: Opening of MIT campus milestone for Auckland Transport Friday, 27 June, 2014 – 10:09 Auckland Transport’s … Continue reading MIT Open Day Tomorrow
3 News Reid Research poll June 2014
Just a quick glance over to the 2014 Elections and the latest poll results out
Polling Company: Reid Research
Poll Method: Random Phone
Poll Size: 1,000 respondents (3.1% maximum margin of error)
Undecideds:
Dates: June 2014
Client: 3 News
Party Support
- National 49.7% (-0.6%)
- Labour 27.2% (-2.2%)
- Green 12.7% (+2.5%)
- ACT 1.4% (+0.8%)
- Maori 1.5% (+0.9%)
- United Future 0.0% (nc)
- Mana/Internet 1.8% (+1.0%)
- NZ First 3.6% (-2.0%)
- Conservative 2.8% (+0.5%)
Projected Seats
- National 63
- Labour 35
- Green 16
- ACT 2
- Maori 3
- United Future 1
- Mana 2
- NZ First 7
- Total 122
This is based on no change in electorate seats.
Coalition Options
- CR – National 63 + ACT 1 + United Future 1 = 65/122 – three more than the minimum needed to govern
- CL – Labour 36 + Greens 16 + Mana/Internet 2 = 54/122 – eight fewer than minimum needed to govern
- C – NZ First 0 + Maori 3 = 0/124
On this poll, there would be a centre-right Government.
Preferred PM
- Key 46.7% (+0.4%)
- Cunliffe 9.6% (-0.2%)
Tweet of the Day
Pays to check in advance
So Auckland Transport has a nice “little” launch for their new Travelwise program in which the Mayor was attending and even speaking to the gathering. Well in his presentation this happened:
Oh dear someone cue the crickets…
I do not know what is more sad?
The fact no one put their hand up which shows as an indictment from our transport failings over the last 25 years, or someone forgot to check prior to the Mayor asking that rather embarrassing question…
Oh if you are wondering why I have not been forgiving a particular department of Auckland Transport (no not the Planning and Strategy division which I have never had issues with and actually enjoy a good relationship with) this week then check this in response to the shuttle situation from the AT CEO and see why:
Update: I was writing this up this happened outside the Travel Wise event:
Hopefully and by the looks of it the cyclist is okay. But with the cyclist in a bus lane where cars shouldn’t technically be and wearing hi-viz and still gets hit by a car you wonder why children do not cycle to and from school.
Council Adopts Budget for 2014/2015 Cycle
Council through the Governing Body adopts Annual Plan 2014/2015 From Auckland Council Council adopts budget for 2014 Auckland Council has adopted the Annual Plan 2014/2015, outlining what the … Continue reading Council Adopts Budget for 2014/2015 Cycle