Wheels to Wings - Papanui ki Waiwhetū Major Cycle Route will provide a connection from Papanui to the airport via Bishopdale and Harewood.

Councillors are considering seven options for the future of the Wheels to Wings major cycle route.

The government’s announcement of the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) in September this year confirmed that there will be no funding contribution for Wheels to Wings in the 2024–2027 programme.

Without a funding contribution from the government, the Council cannot deliver the design approved in 2022 within the total available budget of $18.5 million.

Elected members are considering seven options to keep this project moving forward:

  • Option 1 – Council-approved design 
  • Option 2 – Council-approved design with design changes 
  • Option 3 – Reduced extent of Council-approved design with design changes 
  • Option 4 – Within budget reduced extent of Council-approved design 
  • Option 5 – Staged construction of the Council-approved design 
  • Option 6 – Buffered painted cycle lanes and new signals 
  • Option 7 – Signalisation of the Breens/Gardiners/Harewood intersection 

Read our Newsline for more information about each of these options.

The cycleway is designed to provide a safe connection for local cycling trips through Harewood, Bishopdale and Papanui to schools, shops, businesses and parks. It also provides a connection to the airport and the approximately 7000 people who work on the airport campus.

We consulted on the cycleway from January to March 2021, and again in November 2021, and received more than 1400 submissions from residents, businesses and organisations. Several changes were made to the consulted design based on public feedback.

Hearings were held between February and April 2022, where submitters were able to present to the Hearings Panel. The panel considered all submissions and then made their recommendations to the Council to approve the revised plans following feedback received. The final plans were approved by the Council in July 2022. 

Previous project updates

March 2024

  • We're doing some investigation work around Harewood Road between 25 March and early May 2024.
  • These works are to confirm the location of services under the road to help plan the most efficient construction approach for the following large infrastructure projects:
    • A Harewood Road watermain renewal
    • New traffic lights at the Langdons Road / Greers Road intersection
    • The Wheels to Wings Papanui ki Waiwhetū Major Cycle Route
  • Construction of the three projects is not programmed to begin until later in 2024.
  • We’re continuing to work with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) regarding their funding contribution to the cycleway.
  • Investigation work is required to understand the underground service location and condition, as well as any potential clashes or risks to construction.
  • As these projects are located in the same area, we're using this opportunity to combine our investigation work.
  • Please see the map and timeline below for more information about the location and traffic impact of our investigation work.
  • We know this work can be disruptive, and we appreciate your co-operation and understanding.
  • You can read more information about these investigations on our Working in Bishopdale project page or in our Newsline(external link) story.

Zone Location Traffic impact
Zone 1 Bishopdale roundabout and Harewood Road Lane drops, intersection closures, detours and temporary on-street parking loss
Zone 2 Harewood Road Shoulder closures, lane drops and temporary on-street parking loss
Zone 3 The Harewood Road and Greers Road intersection Shoulder closures, stop/go signals and temporary on-street parking loss
Zone 4 Harewood Road Shoulder closures, lane drops and temporary on-street parking loss
Zone 5 Harewood Road Shoulder closures, limited stop/go signals and temporary on-street parking loss
Zone 6 The Greers Road and Langdons Road intersection Reduction in lane widths, stop/go signals, shoulder closures and temporary on-street parking loss

October 2023 

  • We’re continuing to work on the detailed design.
  • We’re meeting with the last few residents and businesses along the route to discuss issues and finalise the detailed design.
  • You’ll start to see our contractors and surveyors onsite undertaking investigations needed to complete the detailed design.
  • We expect construction to begin sometime in 2024, however, the construction phasing and timing of the route are yet to be determined.
  • We’re continuing to work with Waka Kotahi regarding their funding contribution to this project.

May 2023

  • The resolution proposed for the 2023/24 Annual Plan delays construction starting for 12 months. 
  • In the meantime, detailed design will continue to ensure that all the unresolved design issues and concerns that were raised as part of the hearing process are addressed. The scheme design has been completed and approved via a resolution of the Council.
  • The required business case for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency funding has been submitted for review and approval.  This is still a work in progress.
  • Waka Kotahi has advised that funding availability in this National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) period is minimal and that the likelihood of subsidy support has changed from possible to unlikely.  This may change in the 2024-34 NLTF period.

Background information

Key information

Consultation

Decision making