Friday 16 August 2013

Roading and container removal for Sumner and Redcliffs

Christchurch City Council will be removing 50 containers at end August in Main Road and Wakefield Avenue as part of a reorganisation to help improve access and safety for road users in the Sumner and Redcliffs area. While some locations will be shifted, overall the number of containers positioned to prevent rockfall and cliff collapse on roads will reduce from 109 to 59.

Transport and Greenspace Unit Manager John Mackie says the changes will make it safer for all road users. "Reducing the number of containers, where it is safe to do so, is a positive step for the community. The Council is continually looking to improve access in this area while ensuring the risk of land instability is adequately addressed. Other initiatives to make it more convenient for pedestrians and cyclists will be welcome ahead of summer."

Specific details of plans to improve access and safety are as follows: Main Road - Shag Rock Reserve A temporary pedestrian path has been constructed on the bund on the seaside of this section of Main road. While there is a requirement for containers in this area, the fence in front of the containers has been removed, providing space for cycle lanes in both directions. The Clifton car park will also be repaired and the existing fence will be repositioned and secured in place providing pedestrian access on the seaward side of the fence

Main Road below Mt Pleasant
The Port Hills Geotech team have removed a dangerous boulder which has enabled the containers in this section of the road to be removed. This has improved safety for cyclists heading north as there is no longer any sudden merging with vehicles

Main Road - Moa Bone Cave area
Some maintenance work is programmed here over the next few weeks, but there is no opportunity to improve the current traffic management as the containers must remain in place for some time to come for safety reasons

Wakefield Avenue
Nayland Road to Wiggins Street
Containers in this section are two high and will remain in place as risk of rockfall and cliff collapse in this area remains high

Wiggins Street to Arnold Street
The Council has been working with CERA to remove the containers in this section of Wakefield Avenue and replace them with a wire mesh fence on the footpath. Pedestrians will continue to use the footpath on the other side of the road, but the road will be clear for two lane traffic for motorists and cyclists

Paisley Street to Arnold Street
There are currently single height containers from Paisley to Campbell and these will remain in place. The section from Campbell to Arnold currently doesn't have any containers but single height containers will be put in place following recent technical advice on the risk to traffic and pedestrians in this area. This risk does not extend to occupied houses on the other side of the road.

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