Council and community board drive Linwood bus hub changes

A busy urban transport hub near the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Linwood will be safer and easier to access following Christchurch City Council approval.

Today’s Council decision supports recommendations from the Waikura/Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board following a Hearings Panel report.

Under the changes, there will be a new bus shelter and a signalised pedestrian crossing to improve access and safety for bus passengers using the Buckleys Rd hub.

Council Urban Development and Transport Committee Chairperson Mike Davidson says that about 1400 passengers a day board buses near the shopping centre and many of those people have to cross a very busy stretch of Buckleys Rd.

“Traffic lights at the new crossing just metres from Norwich St will make it safer for pedestrians accessing the bus stop while shared pedestrian and cycle paths near the intersection will reduce conflict between people biking and buses,” Cr Davidson says.

With 470 buses using the local stops daily, there have also been issues with buses blocking driveways and leaving residents frustrated.

“By approving the moving of the bus stops to the end of Norwich St, which will become a cul-de-sac, local residents’ concerns can be allayed and public transport access can be improved,” he says.

Cr Davidson says an additional section of bus lane by the pedestrian crossing will allow buses to re-enter the traffic and improve the flow of public transport in the area.

Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board Chair Alexandra Davids says that the new bus stop and crossing will provide a much improved facility for the community.

“A user-friendly waiting space for bus passengers, good connectivity to Eastgate and new bus shelters that provide greater protection from wind and rain will all help to deliver a better service for our bus passengers.”