Sawyers Arms Rd crossing upgrade

From Tuesday 5 November 2024 traffic on Sawyers Arms Road at the railway line will be reduced to one lane and controlled by temporary traffic lights between approximately 7am and 5pm, for approximately one week. This is to undertake work on the foundation of the railway tracks where a new railway pedestrian/cycleway crossings will be installed early in 2025. For more information see the work notice.

Langdons/Greers traffic lights operational

Turning in and out of Langdons Road at Greers Road just got a whole lot easier, with traffic lights commissioned a month ahead of schedule. The intersection of Reynolds Avenue and Greers Road was closed when Think Papanui visited this morning, but was looking very ready to reopen. Minor works at this intersection are likely to continue over the next week or so.

Halloween in the park: Papanui edition

The sixth annual free Halloween in the Park kids’ community event is coming up on Thursday 31 October from 4:30pm to 5:30pm at St James Park, with the support of Ray White Papanui, Rotary Ōtautahi Passport and the Rotary Club of Papanui. This event is for kids 12 years and under accompanied by a caregiver. The event is free but tickets are required to manage numbers. See the Ray White Papanui Facebook page for details, or head to eventbrite.com.

Next steps for Wheels to Wings cycle route

Image credit: Christchurch City Council

The Government has confirmed that there is no government funding contribution in their 2024–2027 programme for the Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū major cycle route. While there is budget for the project in the Council’s Long Term Plan, latest estimates are higher than is provided for in that budget.

“Without a funding contribution from government, the Council cannot deliver the design approved in 2022 within the total available budget of $18.5 million”, says Council. “We’re putting forward seven options for elected members to consider, to keep this project moving forward. Several of these alternative design options could be delivered at a lower cost than the approved design.”

Options include increasing the project budget through the upcoming Annual Plan process, only building part of the cycle route until further funding becomes available, or changing the design from physical separation between cyclists & vehicles to instead use ‘buffered painted cycle lanes’ – an approach which Council says has “significant safety concerns”.

Councillors will discuss these options during briefings this month.

Read more on the Council’s Newsline site:
https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/next-steps-for-wheels-to-wings-cycle-route

Council set to vote on Nor’West Arc

Tomorrow 16 October 2024 the Council is set to vote on the detailed traffic resolutions for the final stages of the Nor’West Arc Major Cycleway. Tomorrow’s agenda item covers the design from the Ilam/Aorangi intersection through to Harewood Road, including Papanui sections on Aorangi Road, Condell Avenue, and Matsons Avenue.

Pictured: the design for the Condell/Matsons/Windermere intersections.

Full plans can be found in the attachments to the Council’s meeting agenda at:
https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2024/10/CNCL_20241016_ATT_8550_EXCLUDED.PDF