FAQs

Benefits of removing the existing pedestrian crossing to make way for 2 include:

• Removing the burden on motorists when it’s not clear if people wish to cross the road or are watching the Romeo and Juliet performance at the Glockenspiel.
• Reducing pedestrian and vehicle incidents that can occur along the stretch of road between the roundabouts by providing 2 safe crossing points within easy access for people. 
• Providing a safer pedestrian route for people travelling around the CBD by foot or by a mobility scooter.

It increases pedestrian access to safe crossing points within the CBD. The current (non-zebra) crossing points at each roundabout prioritise vehicles first. At a safe pedestrian crossing, pedestrians should have the right to safe passage across the road with vehicles giving way.

The new crossings will also be constructed in a way that increases the safety for pedestrians. You’ll see in the designs provided that the crossing points include:

• Zebra crossings to give pedestrians priority. 
• Built out kerbs to reduce the crossing distance, improve visibility of pedestrians and enable pedestrians to view approaching traffic better. 
• Median refuges provide a safe place for pedestrians to wait in the middle of the road and allow pedestrians to cross one lane of traffic at a time, reducing disruption to traffic. 
• Tactile ground surface indicators to alert people who are blind or have low vision to the crossing. 
• Removal of carparks next to the crossing to improve visibility and avoid vehicles manoeuvring near the crossing. 

The project is being delivered by Council, but it is funded through NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s National Land Transport Fund for the 2021-2024 period. 

While we continue to advocate for a safer crossing point in the northern part of Broadway/SH3, the funding available to us for this only fits between the roundabouts. We’re unable to apply the funding to anything other than the construction of 2 new pedestrian crossings to replace the existing crossing at the Glockenspiel.

Once the new pedestrian crossings are in place, we’ll remove this crossing and close up the stone walls on either side of the road. This will prevent people from crossing at that point, and provide an area for Glockenspiel viewers to watch Romeo and Juliet’s performance safely without any confusion for passing vehicles.

Some parking spaces will need to be removed, regardless of the option chosen. 

• For Option 1, the impact on parking would be removal of 11 parks for the northern pedestrian crossing and 11 parks for the southern pedestrian crossing. 
• For Option 2, the impact on parking would be removal of 9 parks for the northern pedestrian crossing and 13 parks for the southern pedestrian crossing.

While we understand some people will be upset to lose parking spaces on Broadway, we believe there is plenty of parking on Broadway and within walking distance to the Stratford CBD, particularly on the surrounding streets of Regan, Miranda and Fenton, including the War Memorial Centre car park directly opposite the Library and Percy Thomson Gallery.

The goal of this work is to improve pedestrian experience in our CBD. To do this effectively there will be a small impact on vehicle users. We know people like to park right outside the shop they’re visiting, we’re human too - we get it! But we believe that this will be offset by the new pedestrian crossings providing easier and safer access for people who have parked on one side of the street to access shops on the other side.

Construction will begin almost immediately after the final decision. Details regarding traffic management and impact to Broadway users while construction is underway will be shared later in June.