Elliott Street and Darby Street upgrade
Final design
Shared space paving.
The overarching design concept for these two projects is
shared space.
Shared space sees the removal of kerbs and the traditional distinction
between footpath and road. Pedestrians have the right of way, though they must
be aware and have consideration for vehicles.
To help pedestrians be aware that they are in a shared space zone, and that
different behaviour, traffic speeds and awareness is required, the paving in
Elliott and Darby streets differs to that of conventional streets.
Parking, loading and service delivery
To support the creation of successful shared
spaces, the design removes on-street parking from Elliott and Darby streets.
Although motorcycle and bicycle parking is permitted in Elliott Street at
designated locations.
Temporary vehicle drop-off and pick-up is also
allowed and loading for service vehicles is permitted between 6am to 11am. This
helps ensure a balance between local business needs and pedestrian priority.
Accessibility
Tactile indicators at a crossing.
The council is working with accessibility advisors and representatives
from the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind and the Disability Resource
Centre to ensure that shared spaces are safe for everyone in the community.
People with limited mobility, including wheelchair users, will find it much
easier to move around both streets as the design includes:
- a paved, single level surface (no kerbs), making it easier to move
through
- directional and tactile indicators to provide guidance for visually
impaired people
- no on-street parking
- the shared space design provides dedicated 'accessible zones'
(areas for pedestrians only)
- natural barriers (trees and light poles) will separate
'accessible zones' from vehicle zones.
Vegetation
Given their good health and form, fourteen of the sixteen existing deciduous
Hackberry trees currently in Elliott Street will be retained.
In Darby Street the design will introduce six new Nikau palms to compliment the
narrow space.
Seating
Seating in Darby Street.
More public seating will be introduced in Elliott Street. Seating will be
positioned to encourage social interaction and will include benches
as well as seats with backs and arm-rests.
In Darby Street new public seating will be positioned in a variety of ways and
include bench seats and seats with backs.
Lighting
Lighting is a key element of the design to provide security, safety and good visual guidance for vehicles and
people.
In Darby Street, pole mounted lights create a safer night time environment
and provide good visual guidance for vehicles and people.
The design features lighting to accentuate vegetation and seating and also
includes in-ground pedestrian light markers.
Updated June 2011
