Lords Place taxi rank moves as Orange City Council starts latest Future City upgrade

As part of the upgrade on Lords Place, between Summer and Byng streets, new kerb and guttering will be built on both sides of the street to be followed by new, concrete footpaths.

That construction has started and, as a result, the taxi rank has moved across to the eastern side of Robertson Park on McNamara Street.

"The taxi operators believe this is the best plan to allow the taxis to continue to offer their services during the construction of Lords Place," Orange mayor Reg Kidd said.

"We have put up signs directing people where to go for a taxi at the new, temporary rank, in McNamara Street.

"Council is also putting in extra lighting on the eastern side of the park during this time."

The footpath adjacent to the Lords Place taxi rank, all the way to Byng Street, is closed during construction.

The footpath on the other side of the road, adjacent to the Royal Hotel, will also have its kerb and gutter removed in the coming days however pedestrian access will be available during that period.

People wishing to use a taxi via the temporary rank on McNamara Street must use the Summer or Byng street footpaths for access, or walk across Robertson Park.

The Byng Street footpath will also be upgraded in the coming months though.

The centrepiece of the Lords Place will be a new, wider median strip which will be planted with trees. Byng Street, between Lords Place and Piesley Street, is set for a similar upgrade but the median strip will include a low-level garden.

The upgrade also include adjusting the roundabout at the intersection of Byng Street and Lords Place from two lanes to one, by increasing the size of the junction's middle section.

Council said the roads are expected to stay open during the construction phase but will be under traffic control for the majority of the time, with intermittent street closures possible.

Businesses owners in the area have been in consultation with Council staff about the upgrade for several months and a forum was held for businesses recently.

Weather permitting, the upgrades are expected to be completed by October.

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