Ref: https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/haveyoursay/show/439
Introduction
“Spokes” – Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) – is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,200 followers. Spokes is affiliated with the national Cycling Action Network (CAN – https://can.org.nz/). Spokes is dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport in the greater Christchurch and Canterbury areas.
We would like the opportunity to appear at any public hearing held to consider submissions on this project or any opportunity to develop the ideas in this submission further.
Waterloo Road Safety Improvements
Thank you for listening to the concerns of students at Hornby High and for the opportunity to comment on these proposed changes.
Spokes strongly supports safer access for pedestrians and cyclists around schools. Spokes also acknowledges Matatiki (the Hornby Recreation Centre), the Kyle Park BMX track for cyclists, and the link from Hei Hei Road through Kyle Park to the Hornby Mall (which needs much better signage) are all amenities which need easy access for the community.
Spokes is generally in favour of these proposed changes with the following caveats.
Shared paths both sides of Waterloo Road
Spokes agrees with the need for safer infrastructure, but believes a 4m shared path (particularly on the north side) or a separated cycle path would be more appropriate. There is a lot of potential conflict in this area which should primarily be designed for children using active transport to school rather than for car drop-offs.
The shared paths should be extended from the lights at Hei Hei Road to Carmen Road, particularly on the North side (school side).
Spokes notes that confident cyclists moving at higher speeds will likely tough it out in the traffic where there is little protection and there will be chaos at school drop of times.
The design in the school drop-off area should limit the possibility of a door hitting a cyclist.
Ramps are needed at the western end of the shared paths onto the road so cyclists don’t have to turn onto or off the road at the signalised crossing.
All transitions between road and path should be smooth, machine laid seal.
Regarding the safety audit of the P3 parking/bus proposal, will the bus parking create conflict between those waiting to board and other cyclists/pedestrians, particularly if the share path is only 3m wide?
Crossing Points for Cyclists and Pedestrians across Waterloo Road
A safe crossing point at the entry point to Hornby High and the new Hornby Centre is needed.
The current proposal is not adequate, particularly once Matatiki (Hornby Recreation Centre) is open. If you look at a comparable facility such as Halswell the volume of traffic is high during opening hours. This will significantly increase the traffic on both Smarts and Waterloo Road making an already unsafe situation worse.
Spokes believes the best option is controlled lights at the Waterloo Road/Smarts Road intersection, with a cycle/pedestrian sequence, particularly given the number of trucks coming out of the Industrial area. Alternatively, a lights-controlled pedestrian/cyclist crossing would be the next best option given the volume of traffic on this road. This would replace the existing and proposed refuge crossings across Waterloo Road. The current refuge closest to Carmen Road has already been hit by something.
If refuges are used these should have a smooth surface with a well-protected waiting space wide enough for bikes. Also the speed humps look far too close to the refuges which is intimidating to those attempting to cross.
Current refuge at the East end of Waterloo Road.
Smarts Road
Smarts Rd is currently used by heavy vehicles, vehicles towing trailers and other vehicles trying to avoid the lights at the Carmen/Waterloo intersection. This is not ideal around schools and community amenities. Our preference would be to close the Smarts Road exit which would be problematic for Matatiki. Our next preference is to put lights at this intersection. If the road remains the same, it should become a Stop rather than Give way intersection to slow vehicles down.
It is unclear how cyclists, scooters, electric wheelchairs etc will access Matatiki. Is it via Waterloo Road or Smarts Road via the carpark? If it is off Smarts Road then the 3m shared path should be extended on the west side Smarts Road to the entrance. Hopefully sufficient high-quality cycle and scooter parking is part of the design.
Speed Changes
Please change the speed limit to 30km/hr outside the two schools now rather than waiting for the Setting of Speed Limits change. This is one of the most effective safety features that can be implemented.
It is pleasing to see the progress on the South Express on Hei Hei Road which should integrate nicely with this proposal.
Increasing active transport, both cycling and walking, fits with the Christchurch City climate and transport goals.
14 August 2022
Anne Scott, Submissions Coordinator
