Better streets & spaces  |  29 Jan 2020

Two busy central city thoroughfares will get a facelift this year.

Christchurch City Council has awarded Fulton Hogan a $13.3m contract to upgrade both Victoria Street and Hereford Street, between Cambridge Terrace and Manchester Street.

“The earthquakes and subsequent demolition work have left both Victoria Street and Hereford Street in a substandard condition. Both streets need to be reconstructed to bring them up to a standard that supports the private investment that is occurring in the central city,’’ says Council Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Lynette Ellis.

Construction programmes are currently being finalised but the upgrade of Victoria Street will get under way first, with work expected to start in March. Investigation works will begin on Hereford Street in the coming months, with construction starting mid-2020.

Work along Victoria Street will involve replacing dilapidated storm water drains, kerb and channel, footpaths, road surface and street lighting, and improving the street's appearance through the addition of more trees and landscaping.

Widened footpaths, coloured surfacing, cycle lane markings, raised platforms and traffic calming measures will also be added to create better definition for road users and a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists

On Hereford Street the roadway between Cambridge Terrace and Manchester Street will be reconstructed. Badly damaged footpaths will be replaced with new paved footpaths with extra space provided for street furniture and planters with trees. Parking spaces will also be provided at night for ride share services and taxis servicing the bars and restaurants along Oxford Terrace and Hereford Street.

The Council is also taking the opportunity to renew the water main along Hereford Street, which is coming towards the end of its life, and to repair the storm water culvert under the northern footpath.

Drop-in sessions where local residents and businesses can learn more about the work planned along Victoria Street will be held on:

  • Tuesday 25 February, from 5.30 to 7pm, at Sixty6, Christchurch Casino, corner Peterborough Street and Durham Street North.
  • Thursday 27 February, from 9 to 10.30am, at The Lounge, Knox Church, 68 Bealey Avenue.

Drop-in sessions where local residents and businesses can learn more about the work planned along Hereford Street will be held on:

  • Wednesday 4 March, from 5.30 to 7pm at the Function Room, Te Hononga Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street.
  • Thursday 5 March, from 9 to 10.30am, at the Function Room, Te Hononga Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street. 

All the sessions will begin with a short presentation.