Update from Let's Get Wellington Moving - re Cuba Street upgrades

October 26, 2023 Inner-City Wellington

Kia ora koutou
This email is to update you on the Traffic Resolution process for Cuba Street upgrades as part of the City Streets programme of Let’s Get Wellington Moving.

What’s happened

In July the team from Let’s Get Wellington Moving and Wellington City Council City Design spoke with a number of businesses on Cuba Street about potential street enhancements including changing the allocation of space in the street to create more space for pedestrians, reducing the amount of parked cars to make the street feel calmer and more open, identifying opportunities for colour and art, and prioritising remaining vehicle parking.

A basic concept was discussed, and information was gathered from local businesses about their needs and wants, how the concept could work for them, and to understand any possible challenges.

The team then committed to revisit businesses towards the end of the year with next steps.

Since this time, we’ve heard that while there is majority support for these concepts from businesses, there is also uncertainty about what any works may mean, and the impacts businesses may experience, particularly timing of any works if these were to occur over the busy Christmas period.

More recently the Toomath’s building fire on Ghuznee Street has caused disruption and will continue to do so (albeit in a more specific area) until the demolition is completed, currently anticipated to be early November.

Next steps

Because of this, we’ve taken the decision to press pause on this work and regroup in the new year so that we can get things right.

At this stage, the team plans on picking back up engagement in February/March 2024 with a view to head into formal traffic resolution (TR) consultation process soon after.

While the concept is directly for Cuba Street, we know there will be businesses in neighbouring streets who will be interested in the proposal – please be assured that the TR consultation is the formal process which any interested party can participate and have their say.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns,

Nga mihi nui