30 Mar 2017

The green light has been given for work to start on sections of two major cycleways that will connect Christchurch’s city centre to Heathcote and Ferrymead.

Christchurch City Council’s Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee today finalised the routes for the second and third stage of the Rapanui-Shag Rock Cycleway and the first stage of the Heathcote Expressway.

Construction is expected to start on both routes later this year.

An artist's impression of the Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway on Linwood Ave.

An artist's impression of the Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway on Linwood Ave.

Infrastructure, Transport and Environment Committee Chair Pauline Cotter said the decision was an important milestone for the two routes and a step closer to developing the network of cycleways around the city.

“There were more than 250 submissions and a number of submitters presented to the committee on the two projects, with a substantial number changes made as a result of the comments. The feedback has helped to deliver safe, attractive and enjoyable cycleways for people on bikes to use, and further improvements will continue to be made through the detailed design process.”

The changes include:

Rapanui – Shag Rock Cycleway

  • The shared path will be widened to from 3m to 4m where possible along the route
  • Local connections into the cycleway on Linwood Ave will be added
  • Cyclist priority and detectors will be added at intersections
  • The Cranley Street u-turn bay will be upgraded

Heathcote Expressway

  • A section of the cycleway on Cumnor Tce is being changed from a separated path to a neighbourhood greenway in order to retain some mature trees
  • Additional car parking bays have been added on Sheldon St
  • Landscaping will be changed at various points along the route

The first stage of the Rapanui – Shag Rock Cycleway between Worcester St is already in construction. The next section, which was approved today, will connect Linwood Park to the Ferrymead Bridge where it will link to the Christchurch Coastal Pathway.

The full Heathcote Expressway route stretches from Heathcote to the central city. This decision covers the area from Truscotts Rd to Charles St as further consultation on the Ferry Road and Wilsons Rd section of the route is occurring to address issues raised through the initial round of feedback.

The Major Cycle Routes programme is developing a network of 13 routes linking shopping centres, businesses, schools, parks and popular destinations across Christchurch.