Comments sought on new road

Christchurch City Council and the NZ Transport Agency are inviting submissions on four connected projects aiming to ease travel to and from areas north of the city.

The City Council is applying to designate land for a new road called “the Northern Arterial Extension” through the Cranford Basin to join the NZTA’s long-planned “Northern Arterial” at Queen Elizabeth II Drive, and to upgradeCranford Street. In addition the Transport Agency is applying for changes to existing designations on the Northern Arterial from the northern motorway.

The Transport Agency’s Highway Manager Colin Knaggs says the Northern Arterial is critical not only to reduce congestion and travel times but to provide better access to the central city and improve public transport links and efficiency, as well as providing safer cycling and walking facilities.

“The Northern Arterial is one of the three corridors being developed as part of the Christchurch Roads of National Significance (RoNS). Each corridor is important to support the Christchurch rebuild and economic growth ofCanterbury through the efficient movement of people, freight and services, and by linking the Christchurch Airport, the Lyttelton Port of Christchurch and central city.”

Capacity on Cranford Street north of Innes Road will be increased to four lanes, with a raised median and cycle lanes being provided. On-street parking will be removed. A new roundabout will be built where Cranford Streetjoins the Northern Arterial Extension and a pedestrian and cycling overbridge will also be provided.

Council Team Leader Transport, Planning, Richard Holland, says the projects will benefit both people travelling to and from the north of Christchurch, and those travelling into the city from the Waimakariri District.

“The traffic congestion problems for commuters are well known, particularly since the earthquakes, where traffic volumes using State Highway 1 across the Waimakariri River have risen. We anticipate that traffic volumes in the north of the city will increase further as a number of residential and industrial developments come on line in the coming months and years”

“These projects that CCC and NZTA are proposing make up part of a comprehensive solution to these problems, designed to significantly relieve pressure on Main North Road and Marshland Road, and other roads in the north of Christchurch. This will make it easier to get in and out of the city, and not just at peak times,” Mr Holland says.

“The fact that building these new roads means that traffic levels will reduce on other key routes to the north of the city will enable CCC, ECan and NZTA undertake a number of measures which will promote the use of alternative modes of transport such as public transport and cycling”

Residents whose properties are affected by the changes have already been consulted and negotiations are continuing where the Council needs to purchase land.

“We are aware of concerns about bottlenecking south of Innes Road, and our planners are already analysing traffic studies and looking at ways to improve facilities in that area in the future, Mr Holland says.

Input is also sought on stormwater facilities in Cranford Basin and creation of a wetlands area.

Submissions will be invited from Saturday (SUBNOTE: 15 November 2014) and can be made on the Have Your Say section of the Council’s website until 19 December.

“We want to hear both positive and negative feedback. Even if you live outside the city boundaries, tell us what you think,” Mr Holland and Mr Knaggs say.

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