Quake zone heart open to public again

Christchurch residents will be able to enter Cathedral Square on Saturday for the first time since the February earthquake. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Christchurch residents will be able to enter Cathedral Square on Saturday for the first time since February 22, with the opening of a walkway into the heart of the red zone.

Chief executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Authority Roger Sutton said the new temporary walkway will be open from 9am to 8pm every weekend until December 11.

The walkway leads from the recently opened Cashel Mall, up Colombo Street into the square.

See a map and a video of the walkway here.

CERA demolition manager Warwick Isaacs said the area has been able to be opened for a limited time due to a break in the demolition program at the moment.

More buildings along the route are scheduled to be demolished after December 11.

Mr Sutton said the Cathedral is "a significant landmark for most Cantabrians".

"The temporary opening of a weekend walkway between the new Cashel Mall shopping precinct and Cathedral Square will allow 300 people every hour to re-connect with their city in a way that few have had the opportunity to do until now."

Mr Sutton said there will be plenty of opportunities for people to make the most of the walkway, so encouraged people to take their time to avoid long waiting times.

"Along with the bus trips through the CBD, this walkway opens up the area to more people than ever before. I'm confident that people will now be able to see first-hand the significant amount of work that is going on to get our city back on its feet.

"People need to be aware that there are some risks and dangers in the walkway.

It is essential that all visitors to the walkway carry ID on their body, not in a backpack or handbag. Security personnel will be on hand throughout the weekend and the area is well sign posted to tell visitors what they need to know.

"I'm pleased that we've been able to find another way to allow the people of Christchurch back in to the heart of their city."

The public is warned on entry there are still risks and dangers in the area, and the area is CERA space, not public space.

"If there is an earthquake or other event you may be seriously injured or may not survive," signposts will read.

Only 300 visitors will be allowed in at a time, with visits kept to a maximum of 50 minutes, and the walkway will be cleared every hour.