A proposed new cycleway from Templeton to Christchurch will have a significant impact on Riccarton. The City Council will be having consultations about this, but it's important that residents, particularly on the south side of Riccarton Rd, get a clear idea of what is planned.

 Above: A 3-D render of the proposed upgrade to the intersection of Elizabeth and Division streets as part of the South Express cycleway.

Sections of some Christchurch streets will be turned into culs-de-sac and about 65 trees replaced as part of a planned $38 million cycleway, The Press reports. https://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/110223094/christchurch-cycleway-will-turn-sections-of-residential-streets-into-culdesacs

The city council has released a preferred route for the South Express cycleway, which aims to link the south-western suburbs with the central city. 

The proposed 15 kilometre route runs from Templeton through Hornby, Sockburn, Middleton, and Riccarton, linking up with Hagley Park.

A budget of $38m has been assigned in the council's long term plan, spread from 2019 to 2024. The project is expected to be 50 to 75 per cent funded by the NZ Transport Agency. Funding is earmarked for the central city end first. The work is part of the council's $252m major cycleways programme that will see suburbs connected to the central city through 13 separate routes. 

The Southern Express cycleway would see Elizabeth St turned into a cul-de-sac at the Clarence St intersection for those heading west, and at the Wainui St intersection for those heading east.

The intersection of Elizabeth and Division Sts would be split diagonally northwest to southeast by the cycleway, preventing cars from crossing. Ballantyne Ave would become a cul-de-sac at Suva St. Moffett St would become a cul-de-sac at Gilberthorpes Rd. New traffic signals would be added at 11 intersections along the route.

Council planning and delivery manager Lynette Ellis said the route mainly followed local streets away from busy arterial roads. She said some streets would be turned into culs-de-sac to "retain some on-street parking and make safe crossing points" for bikes and pedestrians. It would mean less through traffic and make the streets quieter for residents, she said.

Ellis said the route would directly pass nine schools and link shopping centres, businesses, parks and recreational activities. On-street parking would be lost in front of businesses on Peverel and Elizabeth sts to make space for the cycleway. "In the commercial and industrial areas along the route we have tried to minimise the impacts on businesses and to retain as much on-street parking as possible," Ellis said. About 65 trees would be removed, with most to be replaced in other locations nearby. 

Ellis said there was no construction programme yet as public consultation was just starting. Council will be putting pamphlets explaining the South Express route into the letterboxes of those affected in the next few weeks. There will be three drop-in information sessions between 12 and 25 February.

Council is calling for feedback on the plans until March 20. 

THE ROUTE IN DETAIL

Templeton – from Globe Bay Dr along Jones Rd and Waterloo Rd to Gilberthorpes Rd. Hornby – from Gilberthorpes Rd along Waterloo Rd, Hei Hei Rd, Buchanans Rd, Carmen Rd and along a power pylon corridor to Racecourse Rd.  Sockburn – from Racecourse Rd along the pylon corridor through Pararoa Stream Reserve, then along Middlepark Rd, Craven St and Main South Rd to Curletts Rd. Riccarton – from Curletts Rd along Main South Rd to a path linking to Ballantyne Ave, then onto Suva, Peverel and Elizabeth sts, Picton Ave, and Old Blenheim Rd to South Hagley Park. 

Drop-in discussion sessions

The council will hold drop-in sessions, all of which will begin with a short presentation, on:

• Tuesday, 12 February from 5 to 7pm at the Wharenui Recreation Centre, 73 Elizabeth Street, Riccarton.
• Thursday, 21 February, from 5 to 7pm at the Riccarton Library, Main South Road, Sockburn
• Monday, 25 February, from 5.30 to 7.30pm at Hornby Primary School, 190 Waterloo Road, Hornby.

The council is also currently delivering hard copy to all properties on the route and to the wider area.  Spokesperson Ann Campbell says this will take a couple of weeks due to the number of properties, so some residents will receive the information before others.  "We are doing our best to get this information out to everyone as quickly as possible."