Better streets & spaces  |  31 May 2019

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Two Community Boards have voted not to endorse a draft management plan for dealing with the traffic changes likely to result from the opening of the Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC).

At an extraordinary joint meeting of the Papanui-Innes and Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Boards today, Board members questioned approving the Downstream Effects Management Plan (DEMP) when it included such a strong public transport component, which was not yet assured.

The Papanui-Innes and Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Boards rejected the recommendations from Christchurch City Council staff that they endorse the DEMP and ask Council to proceed with design work and consultation on the proposed projects within it.

“As well as the considerable concern among local residents that the DEMP puts cars before communities, members were very aware of the need to have a confirmed ‘package’ around the DEMP and travel demand management (TDM) measures, and they did not feel that was there,’’ says Ali Jones, Chair of the Papanui-Innes Community Board.

“At this stage the Boards do not feel they can endorse the DEMP.’’

The two Boards are recommending the Council:

  • Not endorse the DEMP at this stage.
  • Investigate a congestion levy on the northern arterial extension.
  • Investigate delaying the opening the CNC south of QEII Drive until a package of Travel Demand Management measures are all approved and implemented.
  • Investigate the possibility of an additional park and ride facility near QEII Drive.
  • Provide north and south-bound peak-time public transport lanes on Cranford and Sherborne streets.
  • Proceed with the proposed traffic projects outlined in stage 1A and 1B of the DEMP as part of its Annual Plan deliberations.

The DEMP was drafted by independent traffic engineer Dr Shane Turner. The three-stage plan focuses on options for managing the increased traffic that is expected to use Cranford Street, south of Innes Road, and some of the surrounding streets when the CNC opens in 2020.

Ms Jones says Board members are extremely cognisant of the legal obligations on the Council to mitigate the downstream effects of the CNC.

However, members feel the TDM measures need approval before they are comfortable to endorse the DEMP.

The DEMP will be presented to Christchurch City Council for consideration, along with the Boards’ recommendations, next month.