Next stage of coastal pathway work

After considering feedback from the local community, the majority of work on the next stage of Te Ara Ihutai Christchurch Coastal Pathway will happen during the day, to minimise the chance of disrupting residents at night.

Construction on the last section of the Coastal Pathway is underway, with contractors Fulton Hogan busy working on the section between the eastern end of Redcliffs Village and Shag Rock, Sumner.

Fulton Hogan has reached a 110 metre stretch of Main Road that’s too narrow to maintain both the worksite and two lanes of traffic. After surveying Redcliffs/Sumner residents to see what the appetite for day works and night works is, and trialling simultaneous day works and night works over the last two weeks, the team has decided to continue with day works in the short term.

“We’ve weighed up the options of day work versus night work,” says Lynette Ellis, Christchurch City Council’s Head of Transport and Waste Management.

“We need to balance the impact on road users caused by traffic delays during the day, against the impact on nearby residents caused by the noise that comes with night works. For the next few weeks, we’re prioritising the health and wellbeing of those nearby residents, and we thank everyone in advance for their patience.”

For six weeks from Monday 30 May, the work will be done from 7am–10pm each weekday. Traffic will be reduced to one lane from 9am–7pm and managed with traffic lights. However, outside of shift hours, the road will be reinstated to two lanes.

Ms Ellis says the decision will mean delays for road users when the road is down to one lane, and that Fulton Hogan will constantly monitor traffic and open up the second lane as required, to ensure delays of no more than 15 minutes.

A Variable Message Sign will be set up at the Ferry Road roundabout advising road users in real-time of travel times on Main Road and on the alternative route to Sumner via Lyttelton.

Once complete, the pathway will stretch 6.5 kilometres from the Ferrymead Bridge to Scarborough Beach in Sumner, and allow people to enjoy walking, cycling, scooting or skating safely off-road along the coast. The full Christchurch Coastal Pathway is expected to be complete in early 2024.

Residents who want more information can contact the Fulton Hogan team via 0800 ROADFH or cant.info@fultonhogan.com, or arrange an in-person meeting.