A plan to remove several car spaces from Braddon's retail hub has received support from a group of residents who believe better pedestrian and bike access is the key to better business.
The Braddon Collective has come out in defence of the ACT government's plan to redevelop Lonsdale Street, which would include the removal of several car spaces from the median strip.
Spokesperson Nick Seefried said there were a lot of car parks in the area in neighbouring streets.
"The removal of 25 car parks from an area that is still growing, is still receiving more underground and visitor parking within some of the developments, is not a bad thing," he said.
"It's a known thing that parking induces more car demand and as a group which represents residents, we want to reduce the amount of cars coming through."
Mr Seefried said encouraging people to drive to Lonsdale Street made it less safe for people who lived in the area, and was environmentally irresponsible.
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"It's also lowering the standard of living in terms of the noise and speeding that goes on through the streets," he said.
Mr Seefried said the Braddon Collective still wanted the best outcomes for businesses, they just didn't believe keeping the median strip car parks achieved that.
"Businesses are more supported by loading zones and making it safe for people to walk around Braddon," he said.
The $4 million Braddon upgrade would include five new pedestrian crossings and a landscape median strips where people could sit.
An improved pedestrian pathway between the city and Lonsdale Street would also be included in the plan.
Mr Seefried said often visitors of residents and shop staff parked on the restaurant and retail street for long period at a time, meaning businesses weren't benefiting anyway.
He said currently 85 per cent of Canberrans used a car as their main mode of transport.
"That's an unsustainable model and the government is well aware of this," Mr Seefried said.
"Part of that unsustainable model is car parking, car parking induces demand."
The Braddon Collective would like to see better access to Haig Park, as it was currently unsafe to cross for people with mobility issues, Mr Seefried said.
"We're also disappointed to see there is no pedestrian crossing proposed for Mort Street," he said.
Braddon business spokesperson Kel Watt said consultation was under way to gauge support for the upgrade from shop owners.
Mr Watt said some wanted parking and traffic as is, some wanted a one-way loop around Lonsdale and Mort streets and some wanted it closed off to traffic like Bunda Street.
He said the challenge now would be creating the best solution for all.
"It's also a very Canberra problem - and I do the same thing - if we can't park immediately out the front of the place we want to get to we get the s--ts," Mr Watt said.
The upgrade consultation period ends May 26.
