Battle back on to preserve 'grungy' look of fashion quarter

The battle to preserve Vulcan Lane has resumed with fashion leaders vowing to stop the latest plan to rip up red pebble pavers and replace them with replicas.

Council officers acknowledge local businesses favour restoring and preserving the slightly grungy look and feel of the stylish pedestrian strip but have recommended a $1.2 modern makeover, with replica pavers as close as possible to the originals.

Fashion leaders Neville Findlay, of Zambesi, and Andrew Bishop, of Feline, last night said the council was not listening to the public outcry against a "pseudo Vulcan Lane".

Mr Bishop was upset the council would even think of going against what people wanted following the initial furore over bluestone paving.

Mr Findlay said officers needed to understand Vulcan Lane was already a world class environment that needed looking after.

"If they need to do work, pull up the old pavers, put them back down again and make some replacement pavers and intersperse them where necessary. If it has a slightly patchy look all well and good because that is very honest.

"We want to keep a bit of age in the place but you can only do that with age itself. You can't manufacture history," Mr Findlay said.

CBD project manager Jo Wiggins said the red pavers had been down for 40 years but the council wanted something that would last another 50 years. The pavers were a safety risk with people slipping over, and the existing pavers were not expected to "last the distance".

"We are trying to create a high quality environment in the CBD that lasts the distance so when people come to the city they feel proud of the city and the city looks great."

Jo Wiggins said the council had done visual inspections of the pavers but no strength testing.

The fact that of the 2160 or so pavers only a small number were chipped or worn was a matter of pride for brothers Ross and Brian Scarborough, who made the reinforced concrete pavers in 1968.

Brian Scarborough said the pavers underwent heavy loading testing, had lasted 40 years and "would never wear out".

The officers' report said the project team "did not listen to or respond to the views and concerns" raised at the outset, particularly about the use of bluestone.

The two sides agree on the need to fix drainage in the lane and improve lighting.

Mayor Dick Hubbard, who has taken a strong interest in Vulcan Lane, indicated this week that he favoured a makeover ahead of restoration.