Changes for St Asaph Street approved

Christchurch City Council yesterday approved traffic changes for St Asaph Street that include a separated cycleway on the south side of the street.

The scheme is part of travel network changes supporting improved traffic flow and better cycling facilities in the Central City and is part of the An Accessible City programme of works. This is the transport chapter of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan prepared by CERA in partnership with Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury and the NZ Transport Agency.

Councillor Phil Clearwater, Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee Chair, says he is confident that the changes will support business, commuters, and cyclists.

"This scheme provides a separated cycleway for cyclists to keep them safe. It complements the other cycleway nearing completion on Tuam Street."

"While some car parks have had to go to make sure the one-way and the separated cycleway can happen, Council has worked very hard to listen to businesses and residents and put in place as many parks as possible including adding in loading zones and changing some parks to shorter stay to stimulate turn-over."

Other changes include:

An enhanced street environment including changes to lane markings and new kerb build-outs.
The streetscape will be improved by the use of street trees and special landscaped areas where possible. Trees will be placed in the footpaths on the south side and in the small build-outs in the parking lane on the south side.
A new landscaped area will be created at the southern end of High Street that will include native plants and tī kōuka (cabbage) trees. This will eventually become a tram terminus when work on the tram line is completed. The aim is to use this space for temporary projects such as art works until it is needed for the terminus.
Removal of the eastbound traffic lane between Madras Street and Ferry Road (the westbound lanes will remain).

The St Asaph Street cycleway paves the way for connection to future Major Cycle Routes and other key Central City cycle routes as well.

A proposal to change the speed to 30 kilometres per hour along St Asaph Street is being considered through a separate process.

Now that the scheme has been approved, the on-road works are expected to begin in late January 2016.

Public consultation on the proposed scheme took place from mid-September to early October 2015. Changes were made to the proposed scheme following public consultation, and a revised scheme was submitted to the Infrastructure, Transport and Environment committee on Thursday last week.

Further information about all the An Accessible City transport projects 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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