27 Mar 2025

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Plans to make streets surrounding three primary schools safer and easier for tamariki to use are out for public feedback.

Christchurch City Council staff developed the plans with Halswell School, Oaklands School and Knights Stream School, who had raised concerns about pedestrian safety with Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board and through Council service requests.  

Affected streets

Halswell School:

  • Sabys Road
  • O’Halloran Drive (at Halswell Road intersection)
  • School Road (at Larsens Road intersection)
  • Kennedys Bush Road / School Road / Provincial Road roundabout

Oaklands School:

  • Dunbars Road / McMahon Drive / Hindess Street roundabout
  • Dunbars Road (west of Balkwell Street)
  • Ensign Street
  • Lillian Street (at Ensign Street / Wales Street intersection)
  • Lillian Street (at Halswell Road intersection)

Knights Stream School:

  • Halswell Junction Road (at Bill Harvey Walkway)
Discussions with the schools and monitoring of road-crossing behaviours and traffic volumes in the area informed the proposed safety treatments and their locations says Transport Operations Manager Stephen Wright. 

“The biggest challenge for children and families on their route to school is crossing the road safely. We’re proposing to install seven pedestrian islands, which provide a safe zone in the middle of the road so it can be crossed in two stages. On busier roads like Halswell Junction Road and Dunbars Road, there’s little opportunity to cross between traffic, so we’re proposing to install signal-controlled crossings there.”  

The plans also include kerb buildouts, which shorten pedestrian crossing distances from each side of the road, and several speed humps to slow traffic are proposed. Added no stopping lines will also ensure visibility for children to see, and be seen, when crossing. 

“Halswell is one of the fastest growing suburbs in Christchurch, and so we need to ensure our most vulnerable road users can use their neighbourhood streets safely. That’s whether they’re walking, biking or scootering, and with a parent, their siblings or on their own,” Mr Wright says. 

“We’re inviting feedback on our plans and would appreciate hearing from the school communities and anyone else who lives in, or travels through, the area. Let us know what you think – have we got it right? Is there anything else we need to consider?”  

The consultation period runs from 27 March to 28 April. Submitters will have an opportunity to speak to the Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board at its decision meeting, mid-year. 

Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, with the work being funded from the Minor Road Safety Programme. 

Share your feedback on the proposed safety improvements at Kōrero Mai | Let’s Talk.