Cycleway construction approved to begin

Work to build new cycleways in Addington is expected to begin later this year after the Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee today approved the project.

Part of Christchurch City Council's Major Cycle Routes programme, the work involves new cycleways being built from Moorhouse Avenue through Church Square to Barrington Street. There will be new crossings over Wrights and Lincoln roads where they intersect the Southern Motorway, as well as improving the cycleway through Marylands Reserve.

"This three kilometres of the Little River Link will form an important part of the Major Cycle Routes," says Committee Chairman Phil Clearwater.

"It will provide a convenient option for people living in the growth areas of the city's south-west wanting to ride their bikes to Addington or the Central City via the new Hagley Park shared path."

Mr Clearwater says community involvement was an important part of the development of the cycleway plans, which attracted 123 submissions.

"Local people have helped shape these plans. For instance, we were told there was a problem with vehicles taking a short-cut from Brougham Street along Collins Street to the new business areas in Addington. Staff developed three options for people to consider and based on feedback we will be banning the left-turn from Brougham Street into Collins Street."

Jim Harland, NZ Transport Agency Southern Regional Director says, “It is great to see such good progress being made on the city’s cycleway network which is essential in making cycling a more attractive and safe travel choice.

“The Government is investing more than $20 million in Christchurch’s cycleways during the next three years from the Urban Cycleways Fund, and the Transport Agency is investing around $23 million from the National Land Transport Fund. The final third of the cost comes from the Christchurch City Council and local ratepayers.

“Each one of these cycleways is critical to the development of a network that will enable more people to have a choice to safely cycle to work, school or recreational activities.”

The Council's Head of Transport, Chris Gregory, says the next steps are to complete detailed designs and apply for resource consents. Construction is expected to start later this year and be finished in 2017.

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