Wave of change for Christchurch’s Sumner Village

The first major step in the delivery of the Sumner Village Master Plan is under way, with an upgrade starting in the Marriner Street-Wakefield Avenue area.

Contractors are installing new road surfaces, kerbs, footpaths and storm water drains, while also introducing landscaping and paving features.

The six-month village enhancement includes the Esplanade entrance.

Under the Master Plan, Sumner Village will have new street furniture, landscaped areas, cycle lanes, a paved shared space and crossing points, wider footpaths, road narrowing, and a slower speed environment.

Infrastructure work is under way in Sumner.

Christchurch City Council Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Lynette Ellis says the initial work will lay the foundations for improved functionality, safety, connectivity and local amenity that “enhance the heart of Sumner Village”.

“Rejuvenation is the cornerstone of the plan to create the right streetscape for one of the city’s most popular residential seaside suburbs and a ‘destination’ village,” Ms Ellis says.

“The work will help foster Sumner’s sense of community and connection.”

Contractors will also replace 33 metres of sewerage pipes in Burgess Street and 100 metres of water mains in Wakefield Avenue.

“The old sewer and water pipes are at the end of their life span and need replacing before new surfaces and landscaping are installed above those pipes,” Ms Ellis says.

Residents and Sumner visitors will experience some travel disruption and work time frames may change.

The Eslanade/Marriner Street intersection will be closed from today until 12 April while Marriner Street and Wakefield Avenue will be one-way from 29 April to 17 May.

Access to Marriner Street east and Burgess Street will be closed from 10 June to 26 July.

Both Marriner Street and Wakefield Avenue will be one way from 3 July to 11 September while Nayland Street (next to the supermarket car park) will be city-bound one way from 10 to 19 September. Nayland Street west will be closed from 23 to 27 September.

Bus stops in Wakefield Street and Marriner Street will be affected at times. However, signage will direct users to the nearest stop.

Members of the public who have any work-related queries can visit the site office at 21C Marriner Street on Wednesday afternoons.

During the work period, the Sumner Road-Evans Pass route will be reopened.

From 29 March, oversize heavy vehicles will again be using Marriner Street and Wakefield Avenue as their main route into Christchurch. At times, heavy vehicles will need to be diverted down Nayland Street and back onto Marriner Street. Any diversions will be notified in advance of changes.

People are also being reminded to follow new signage and any instructions from site staff.

Traffic updates will be available on the New Zealand Transport Agency site.

A map of the work area for Sumner Village.