Committee approves university cycleway plans

Construction is expected to start later this year on a new $4 million cycleway from Riccarton Bush to Solway Avenue, running through the University of Canterbury campus.

The Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee today approved plans for this section of the Uni-Cycle route. The cycleway is about 3 kilometres long and is on road space as well as university land.

Building the cycleway on campus land is subject to university approval.

"The Uni-Cycle route is the top priority for our Major Cycle Routes programme and is included as part of the Government's Urban Cycleways Programme for funding assistance," says Committee Chairman Phil Clearwater.

"The Council appreciates the support of the University for Uni-Cycle in getting to this point and looks forward to working together as the route is built. Connecting the university to the Central City and going past a number of schools and other possible destinations, the route is expected to be very popular."

University of Canterbury Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Weaver says, “The University of Canterbury encourages its students and staff to use a wide range of transport options, and we fully support the increased accessibility to safer cycling that the new Uni-Cycle cycleway will provide.

“UC is strengthening its ties to central Christchurch, which includes the return of the University’s James Logie Collection of Classical Antiquities, Classics and Music Performance programmes to the Arts Centre from our Ilam campus in 2017.”

When work on the university end of the cycleway is completed in the middle of next year, most of the 5.6 kilometre Uni-Cycle route will be done.

Cr Clearwater says, "Already we are seeing the benefits of providing better cycleways with greater uptake than expected on the section past Christchurch Girls' High School. In February, nearly 900 people a day were using the crossing over Deans Avenue into Hagley Park."

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.

“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 will consult with the community about proposed changes to the intersections of Hinau and Miro streets and Miro and Totara streets as well as parking restrictions for Hinau Street between Clyde Road and Puriri Streets

Contractors are working on another section of Uni-Cycle past Christchurch Boys' High School as well as widening a shared path through North Hagley Park due for completion the middle of this year

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