Consultation opens on new Central City transport project

Christchurch City Council invites feedback on a new transport project on St Asaph Street needed to support improved traffic flow and better cycling facilities in the Central City.

This is the fourth consultation to take place under the umbrella of An Accessible City – the transport chapter of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. An Accessible City was prepared by CERA in partnership with Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury and the NZ Transport Agency.

The key features for the changes to St Asaph Street (from Ferry Road to Antigua Street) include:

• An enhanced cycle network – a separated cycleway on the south side of St Asaph Street is proposed which will connect with other cycle routes including the Major Cycle Routes.

• An enhanced one-way street network – St Asaph Street continues as a key east-to-west one-way corridor for cars and buses.

• An enhanced environment – including new islands, more trees, cycle stands and improved lighting.

Consultation opens today on Thursday 17 September 2015, and will close at 5pm on Thursday 8 October 2015. Consultation material and information about how to make a response is available through the Council’s website: www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

John Mackie, General Manager Infrastructure rebuild, says this new consultation aims to deliver tangible benefits for cyclists and pedestrians and well as retaining the one-way distributor route heading west.

"These new design concepts for St Asaph Street mean people have increased choice about how they will travel within the Central City, one of the key drivers of An Accessible City.

"The new separated cycleway will be a great bonus for cyclists. It will link with Central City cycleways and also with the proposed Major Cycle Routes. These proposed changes also continue to provide the one-way system travelling west that pairs with Tuam Street going east.

“Overall, the scheme takes a balanced approach – we retain as much on-street car parking as we can while also providing enhanced streetscape and cycleway facilities and keeping costs within budget,” Mackie says.

The St Asaph Street transport project is the first project in the second phase of An Accessible City Transport Projects. A budget of $3.5 million was recently approved for this project as part of the Council's Long Term Plan and falls into the 2015/16 financial year.

Key proposed changes for St Asaph Street (from Ferry Road to Antigua Street):

• A new one-way westbound separated cycleway on the south side of St Asaph Street (apart from a small section between Ferry Road and Madras Street that is two-way). The path is separated either by trees or by median islands.

• Two general traffic lanes running westbound continuing St Asaph as a primary one-way route (widening at each intersection to three or four lanes as appropriate).

• Vehicles will no longer be able to drive eastward between Madras Street and Ferry Road.

• Enhanced tree plantings, cycle stands, pedestrian islands and lighting.

• The introduction of pay-and-display 120 and P60 on-street car parking.

Feedback on these three transport projects can be made a number of ways:

• Through the Council’s website: www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

• By email: AACtransportprojects@ccc.govt.nz

(Please make sure your full name and address is included with your response)

• In writing to:

Freepost 178 (no stamp required)

AAC Transport Projects

Christchurch City Council

PO Box 73013

Christchurch 8154

The Council will be holding the following presentations and drop-in sessions for people to speak to staff and make a response:

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

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