Committee Recommends Approval of Two Central City Transport Projects

Christchurch City Council will meet on 13 November 2014 to consider the Council’s Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee’s recommendation to approve the scheme designs for two Central City transport projects. Shared paths will be separately considered at that Council meeting.

Christchurch City Council’s Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee, in consultation with the Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board and Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board, is recommending the Council approves the scheme designs for two Central City transport projects with changes to incorporate public feedback and technical advice. The Committee’s recommendation is that the Council separately consider shared paths after that Council considers relevant changes to bylaws.

Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee Chair, Councillor Phil Clearwater says, “These proposed transport projects are a departure from the way we used to share the Central City travel network prior to the Canterbury Earthquakes. They ask us to imagine a very different city, with new destinations, spaces for people and streets that prioritise certain modes of transport. The two transport projects are an exciting step toward achieving a more accessible, safer, people-friendly and enjoyable way for people to get around our Central City.

“We have had some really useful feedback that has allowed us to refine and improve the designs, but there are issues that submitters have raised that we have asked for further information from Officers. However, we are confident these designs create positive benefits for travel choice through improved walking, cycling, public transport and general traffic infrastructure,” Councillor Clearwater says.

The key issues raised by submitters in relation to Hagley / Moorhouse Corner included: the closure of Hagley Avenue to north-bound traffic at Moorhouse Avenue; the proposed four metre wide path, which would continue to be shared by cyclists and pedestrians in Hagley Park; and the shortage of parking and removal of on-street car parks in Selwyn Street.

“People were very clear about the need to retain as many on-street car parking spaces as possible,” Councillor Clearwater says.

The deferral of the Selwyn Street cycle lane proposal between Hagley Avenue and Moorhouse Avenue means a gain of eight parking spaces in the Hagley / Moorhouse project area. Proposed major cycle routes are planned nearby along Antigua Street, and in Hagley Park a widening of a path shared by pedestrians and cyclists. Other key proposed changes to Hagley / Moorhouse Corner and surrounding streets as a result of feedback and further technical advice include:

• Removal of two parking spaces on the east side of Selwyn Street north near Moorhouse Avenue to allow turning movements for buses.

• Existing bus stop on the south side of Moorhouse Avenue relocated 85 metres west.

• Bus stop on left side of Lincoln Road for south-west bound travellers shown on plans.

• Hook turn boxes for cyclists on Moorhouse Avenue to assist right turn cycle movements.

Issues raised by submitters on Hospital Corner early works included: parking around the Hospital area; understanding how traffic movements and the ‘super stop’ will work; and pedestrian movements at the Hagley Avenue / Riccarton Avenue / Tuam Street intersection. Other key proposed changes to Hospital Corner, including Oxford Terrace and Tuam Street Stage 1 early works as a result of feedback and further technical advice include:

• Seven additional temporary car parking spaces in Oxford Terrace between Tuam Street and Antigua Street. Further temporary angle parking along Oxford Terrace is being considered by CERA as part of Te Papa Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct.

• Retention of the taxi rank outside the Hospital on Oxford Terrace.

• Increased pedestrian waiting area on the island at the Hagley Park Corner and reduced crossing distances on Hagley and Riccarton avenues.

• Further consideration of pedestrian detection at this location to improve amenity for crossing pedestrians.

• Retention of the signal exit from the Hospital to Oxford Terrace adjacent to Antigua Street bridge until final Te Papa Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct and Hospital Corner road works changes are considered for implementation.

The Committee, in consultation with the two boards, is also recommending the Council approve traffic control and parking restriction changes associated with these projects, except for the shared path changes. The proposed Committee recommendation for the shared paths is that the Council consider those after it has made a decision on proposed amendments to the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2008 at the Council meeting on 13 November 2014.
The Committee noted concerns about potential conflict between experienced cyclists, recreational cyclists and pedestrians on the proposed Hagley Park shared path and asked for further advice from Officers on design options. The Committee also asked for updated information of the design of proposed intersection changes to maximise amenity for pedestrians, especially those with mobility needs.

Consultation on Hospital Corner early works and Hagley / Moorhouse Corner opened on 15 August, and closed on 8 September 2014, with 145 responses coming in.

The two transport projects feature in the amended First Phase programme of An Accessible City transport projects. An Accessible City is the transport chapter of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan gazetted in October 2013. The two transport projects support the new Bus Interchange, which is scheduled to open in April 2015. Traffic flows must also be managed when Oxford Terrace is closed to city-bound traffic as part of Te Papa Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct and a section of Tuam Street is converted from two-way to one-way east.

Further information about these two transport projects and the consultation process is available online at www.ccc.govt.nz/AACtransportprojects

General information about the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan and An Accessible City can be found at www.ccdu.govt.nz/the-plan

– ends –

© Scoop Media