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Lambert Building in Rangiora Closed

February 10, 2012

The Waimakariri District Council closed the Lambert Building at 174 High Street in Rangiora as from 7 am Saturday 11 February.

Affected building and business owners were advised of the closure last Thursday night.

Recent structural engineers’ reports have assessed the building as dangerous and advised public access be prohibited. In addition, due to the danger imposed by the possibility of falling masonry, the adjacent buildings on either side have also had to have prohibited access imposed until further notice.

The closures will affect the trading operations of Graeme Smith Unichem Chemist, Annah Stretton, The Flight Centre, Union Surf and Streetware and the Rangiora Digital Photo Lab. The Council is continuing discussions with the three buildings’ owners and tenants to explore options for continued trading.

The area was fenced off from Saturday 11 February at 7 am at a distance of six metres from the buildings’ frontages onto High Street. This will further restrict the number of parking spaces along High Street, in conjunction with the area already fenced off outside the Robbie’s Bar and Bistro building, which was closed at the end of January.

Council Chief Executive Jim Palmer says that while public safety is paramount, the Council is very aware of the impact closures can have on businesses. “We’ve been working very closely with building owners and tenants”, he said, “and staff are currently exploring alternative options and the Council’s role in facilitating any of those options. In addition there is the impact on traffic flow through High Street that we need to consider”.

Rangiora business and building owners were invited to a meeting in the Council Chambers to be updated on the closures and the Council’s future programme for earthquake prone buildings. A similar meeting was held Tuesday evening for Kaiapoi businesses and building owners.