People in St Albans, Edgeware and Mairehau will soon get a chance to give feedback on possible roading changes that are being recommended for their area.

The changes are aimed at addressing the traffic impacts of the new Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC), which is due to open next year.

Traffic on Cranford Street.

Traffic on Cranford Street is expected to increase when the Christchurch Northern Corridor opens in 2020.

The CNC will make travel times in and out of Christchurch shorter, but it is predicted to lead to more traffic on Cranford Street, south of Innes Road, and on some of the surrounding streets.

Independent traffic engineer Dr Shane Turner has put together a draft plan for managing the increased traffic volumes. He is recommending that Christchurch City Council undertake a number of roading projects before the CNC opens.

At its meeting today the Council agreed to engage  with the community on the  possible roading changes recommended by Dr Turner.  Some early engagement was carried out with residents last year.

“We started a conversation with the community last year about options for dealing with the increased traffic expected in the Cranford Street area and it is important we go back to them now and get their feedback on the recommendations that have been put forward,’’ says Papanui-Innes Community Board Chair Ali Jones.

"We have heard loud and clear from our community that we need to do more than simply manage the effects of the projected increase in the volume of traffic; we need to actually find ways of reducing the amount coming into the neighbourhood,'' Ms Jones says.

Council Head of Transport Richard Osborne says staff will be talking with the communities and will then bring a report to the Papanui-Innes Community Board. The Board will consider the report and then make recommendations to the Council. 

"If the plan is formally adopted by the Council, there will be opportunities for further public input on projects within the plan,’’ Mr Osborne says.