Author: Simon Britten

Safer speeds? What’s happening to speed limits in Papanui?

Speed limits on some Papanui streets were reduced earlier this year, further speed reductions have been approved already and will be implemented soon, and at the time of writing there’s consultation open on a further round of proposed changes. Read on for a recap of what’s already been implemented, and what changes are now on the table.

Lower speed limits: live-saving? Or an excessive extension of travel time?

Simon Kingham is the Chief Science Advisor to the Ministry of Transport and is a Professor of Human Geography at Canterbury University. In an article published on the University’s website he explains the lower risk of injury or death when a person is hit by a slower-moving vehicle, and how greenhouse gas and nitrogen dioxide emissions are reduced at lower speeds.

Continue reading “Safer speeds? What’s happening to speed limits in Papanui?”

Christchurch’s cycleway programme to be scrapped?

The Press today has revealed that future cycleway funding has been removed from a draft of the Long Term Plan – the Council’s 10-year budget. Projects proposed to be axed include the already-consulted and approved Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū cycleway along Harewood Road, as well as tens of millions of dollars of ‘local connections’ projects to better connect communities with already build cycleways.

Continue reading “Christchurch’s cycleway programme to be scrapped?”

Simon’s August 2023 newsletter: Council apologises to our Board, approves cycleway

Council apology to our Community Board

In my last newsletter I noted my disappointment that no apology has been forthcoming from the elected Council for making decisions in March that were the Board’s responsibility to make, in relation to changes associated with the Rolleston Ave / Park Tce cycleway. Just days later, in an open meeting, the Council noted “…that pursuant to the decision-making authority delegated to Community Boards, the Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board should have considered the Parking Changes on Gloucester Street & Hereford Street report than was inadvertently heard by Council at its 14 March 2023 meeting, and that Council apologise for the error”. I thank the Council for this and consider the matter closed.

For more Council & Community Board news, and updates from me, read the full August 2023 newsletter on Substack: simonbritten.substack.com

Update: Northlink development completion, and lights for the Greers/Langdons intersection

The Northlink retail development on Langdons Road in Papanui first opened in November 2018, and anchor tenant Kmart has been open since May 2020 – so what’s happening with the yet-unbuilt third block at the back of the site, and when will we see traffic lights at the increasingly-busy Greers Road / Langdons Road intersection?

Background

The resource consent for the second stage of the Northlink development encompasses what are referred to as Block A and Block B (which together form the building housing Kmart, Torpedo7, Bargain Chemist, and more) and Block C (not yet built, positioned at the back of the site). See the plan below:

Block C at the Northlink retail site in Papanui is shown on the right of this plan. It is located at the back of the site, and is yet to be built as at July 2023.

A condition of the resource consent was that Block C cannot be used “…until a contract has been let for the signalisation of the intersection of Langdons Road and Greers Road”.

Continue reading “Update: Northlink development completion, and lights for the Greers/Langdons intersection”

Simon’s July 2023 newsletter: I can’t believe it’s not about cycleways!

Read on for some updates on cycleways in the Christchurch area, what’s been happening with our Community Board, and some other news and updates from me.

Northern Line’s green light changes to amber 🚦🟠

In my May newsletter I wrote that construction of missing sections of the Northern Line cycleway could start in June, and that crossing upgrades at Harewood, Langdons, and Sawyers Arms Roads are due to commence in late 2023. Sadly, here we are in July and there’s no sign yet of action between Sturrocks and Tuckers Roads, or between Barnes & Main North Roads.

Read the full newsletter on Substack: simonbritten.substack.com