Railway North (Northcote to Tuckers) Proposed Cycleway Extension

I have sent a brief email submission to Brian Boddy (CCC) incorporating Glens comments and some from my knowledge of the area, as follows:
Dear Brian
Thanks for the opportunity to meet with you on site to discuss this project.
Spokes is strongly in favour of the expansion of railway cyclepaths in Christchurch and is pleased to provide comment on the proposal for a railway cyclepath extension to Tuckers Road, as well as the provision of a signalised crossing at Northcote Road. In our view, the signalised crossing over Northcote Road is long overdue, and will greatly improve the situation for cyclists and pedestrians wishing to travel north and south of this busy road. We look forward to completion of this project and further extensions of the cycle path beyond Tuckers Road.
I have set out comments and suggestions on the project, below. These largely relate to the arrangements at the intersection of the crossing and Northcote Road and access to and from the cyclepaths.
1) The existing shared cycle and pedestrian path on the northern side of Northcote Road should be retained and clearly marked as a shared path. A short extension of the seal is required around the corner into Cavendish Road as far as the first driveway crossing, as discussed with you on site. This extension will make the transition from path to the road and vice versa much easier for cyclists accessing Cavendish Rd from the cycle path. A similar provision is possibly required for Uxbridge Street.
2) It would be desirable if the cyclepath and crossing on the south side could be linked by a shared path to the service lane that runs alongside Northcote Rd to the west. This would provide a quiet alternative for cyclists to the onroad cycle lanes along Northcote and could ultimately connect with Sawyers Arms Rd. It would also improve access to the BMX park for users crossing Northcote Rd from Casebrook and Northcote.
3) The stopping areas and holding rails at the crossing should be placed and designed to avoid conflict between cyclists crossing in opposite directions. This is a problem with several of the signalised crossings further south on the railway path, where cyclists are channelled to the same side of the path on opposite sides of the road. The Bligh's Road crossing is an example of a layout that largely avoids this problem.
4) Provision needs to be made for cyclists travelling eastbound on Northcote Rd (from the west) to get off the cycle lane to wait at the crossing if they wish to go south (as done for westbound cyclists going north). Appropriate road markings and a curb ramp may assist.
5) Access to the pathway and crossing north also needs to be provided for cyclists from Vagues Rd. A simple kerb ramp would help (near the bottom of the plan diagram).
6) Because of the high number of school students using the crossing before and after school, and the proximity to the railway line, it may be appropriate to allow for larger pedestrian and cycle waiting areas on each side of the crossing than appears to be currently provided for in the plan.
7) From the plans provided, the tactile markings may need work (not full width or depth, gaps allow people to step over them).
8) Advance detector loops should be provided in the path on both sides of the crossing to call/change the traffic signals, as per the pathway crossings to the south.
9) Lighting on the new section of the cycle path should be spaced sufficiently close together to avoid the problems that have arisen on the section of the cyclepath between Bligh's and Wairekei Rds, where sections of the path between lights are poorly illuminated at night.
10) In the interim, it would be useful to have route signage from the Sturrocks Rd intersection showing people the way north through Redwood Park.
Don't hesitate to get in touch if you want to discuss any of these matters.
Cheers
Robin Delamore
Submissions coordinator - Spokes

Proposal looks fairly good - about time! Some things to address or clarify:

- How do cyclists eastbound on Northcote Rd (from the west) get off the cycle lane to wait at the xing if they wish to go south? (e.g. as done for westbound cyclists going north)

- How does a cyclist from Vagues Rd access the pathway xing? (or use it to turn right) A simple kerb ramp would help (near the bottom of the plan diagram)

- pathway immediately south of Northcote Rd isn't that great or wide (and last time I checked there were grotty barriers at the private lane). Any chance of getting that improved a bit?

- also would be good if they could link the pathway/xing to the service lane that runs alongside Northcote Rd west of here. Some cyclists would rather use that than the onroad cycle lanes along Northcote (ultimately it could connect with Sawyers Arms Rd intersections so you can avoid Northcote Rd completely).

- will there be advance detector loops in the path to call/change the traffic signals, as per the southern pathway crossings?

- depending on how soon they will be doing the next bit to Sturrocks Rd, in the interim, will there be route signage showing people the way north through Redwood Park?

- tactile markings need work (not full width or depth, gaps allow people to step over them)

Glen Koorey
Spokes Core Member

I'll try and attend one of these site meetings - probably at Northcote Rd on Tues 9 Dec at 8.30am.