Committee recommends approval of Central City transport projects

Christchurch City Council will meet on 11 December 2014 to consider the Council's Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee's recommendation to approve the scheme designs for three Central City transport projects.

Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee Chair, Councillor Phil Clearwater says, "The proposed transport projects for Colombo, Lichfield and Tuam streets - including a section of Manchester Street - dovetail with Council-approved transport projects underway at Hagley / Moorhouse and Hospital corners. They work together to support the overall aim of improving traffic flow and providing safer, more people-friendly and enjoyable ways for people to get around our Central City.

"Community feedback on these road changes has been helpful and well-presented, and this has enabled the designs to be adjusted to deliver an improved package of proposals," Councillor Phil Clearwater says.

Key submission issues included the proposed north-side location of the west-east separated cycle facility on Tuam Street, particularly near the Bus Interchange and Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.

Transport and Research Unit Manager Richard Osborne says, "With the expected future increase in the number of people cycling in the city, designing facilities that support and encourage cycling is a key consideration. All three schemes have had an independent safety audit, with additional design-specific audits of the Tuam Street cycleway proposal and its links to the Bus Interchange access arrangements.

"Selecting a preferred location for the Tuam Street cycleway proposal has however been complex, involving detailed modelling and analysis to balance the competing needs of buses, cyclists and pedestrians. While there is no perfect answer to the selection of the cycle route's location, we believe the proposed north-side cycleway for eastbound cyclists delivers the most balanced solution for a safe, connected travel option that will help cyclists, pedestrians and bus passengers alike.

"With this in mind, additional signal control and electronic warning arrangements to maximise pedestrian and cyclists' safety across the Bus Interchange access from Tuam Street are proposed; the design having been refined as the consultation process has progressed," Mr Osborne says.

Concerns were also raised about the proposed restricted left turn from Lichfield Street onto Colombo Street north towards Cathedral Square. Submitters asked that the restriction be delayed until traffic on Colombo Street begins to increase as the Central City's recovery picks up pace.

Mr Osborne says, "Having considered carefully the responses we have received, we are proposing the left turn will be temporarily permitted for light vehicles until a significant quantum of permanent off street parking is created on Lichfield Street west of Colombo Street. This is a short-term measure as the restricted turn will be needed after that in order to keep traffic volumes in Colombo Street between Lichfield Street and Hereford Street to less than around 5000 vehicles per day - and avoid the need for separated 'Copenhagen-style' cycle facilities and the removal of the planned parking and servicing in this section of Colombo Street."

The Committee is also recommending the Council approve traffic control and parking restriction changes associated with these three projects.

Consultation on scheme designs for the three projects was undertaken from 17 September to 8 October 2014, with 65 submitters providing feedback.
To view key recommended proposed changes for each scheme as a result of feedback and further technical advice, click here.

The three 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 three transport projects support the new Bus Interchange, which is scheduled to be operational in the winter of 2015.

Further information about these three 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

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