Category: update

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

Council confirms overwhelming support for Wheels to Wings cycleway: 236 submitters say #LetsGetOnWithIt, 27 agree with delay

Further to my article last month (Strong cycleway support in Annual Plan submissions), here’s a more formal analysis of submissions on the Wheels to Wings cycleway contained in feedback on the Council’s draft Annual Plan, as provided by the Council’s Monitoring & Research unit.

In total 816 submissions were received on the Annual Plan, and 304 of these give feedback on the proposal “not to begin construction on the Wheels to Wings cycleway for 12 months”. 236 submissions oppose a delay, while just 27 submissions support.

Continue reading “Council confirms overwhelming support for Wheels to Wings cycleway: 236 submitters say #LetsGetOnWithIt, 27 agree with delay”

Simon’s May 2023 newsletter: Good news on cycleways, hello LGNZ

CBEC members at our inaugural meeting at LGNZ’s Wellington office in March.

The Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū major cycle route has featured in a number of my recent newsletters, and it will again today, but first let’s start with some good news on the Northern Line MCR.

Green light for Northern Line cycleway crossings and missing sections

This week the Council approved the detailed design of incomplete sections of the Northern Line major cycleway route. Staff emphasised that Council were being asked to approve the ‘lines and signs’ associated with an already-approved scheme design, and advised that construction of missing sections north of Northcote Road can start next month. Crossing upgrades at Harewood, Langdons, and Sawyers Arms Roads are due to commence in late 2023. For details, see page 5 onwards in the meeting agenda.

Read the full newsletter on Substack: simonbritten.substack.com/p/good-news-on-cycleways-hello-lgnz