26 Feb 2024

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Transport work programmes will look to be reshuffled following the cancellation of Government funding.

Christchurch City Council applied for 90% funding from the former Government’s Climate Change Emergency Fund Transport Choices programme for 10 projects worth about $26 million.

In December, Transport Minister Simeon Brown sent a letter to Councils advising that work without a contract would no longer receive funding.

In response to the letter, Councillors will consider a report at the upcoming Finance and Performance Committee meeting regarding the reprogramming of projects.

Read the report here.

The report recommends that work stop on the Westmorland, Te Aratai and Little River Cycle Connections, as well as the improving Bromley roads package.

“We know this will be disappointing for some communities who had expected these upgrades would be going ahead. Our aim has always been to deliver more at a lower cost to ratepayers,” Head of Transport Lynette Ellis says.

“Transport Choices projects that will be delayed will be considered for inclusion in future Annual Plans or when funding becomes available in the current programme.”

The report also recommends that work restarts on projects that were previously deferred to accommodate the Transport Choices work.

This would include the Ferry Road active transport improvements, Condell Avenue renewal, Glandovey Road west and Idris Road active transport improvements, Burwood Road and Mairehau Road intersection improvement, Uni-Cycle cycle connection, the Ōtākaro Avon Major Cycleway section one and Gardiners Road shared path.

Work will continue on Transport Choices projects which have a contract or are able to be accommodated within existing programmes - school safety Linwood, Linwood bus stops and Slow Speed Neighbourhood Linwood programmes, as well as the Little River Cycle Connection at Ngā Puna Wai.

The Richmond greenway and Linwood road improvements will go back to the Community Boards to be prioritised using other funding, while work on the Linwood Village Streetscape Enhancements is already underway following a Notice of Motion passed by Councillors late last year.

If Councillors approve the recommendations in the report, there will be no impact on rates.