A new cycleway through Papanui, Bishopdale, Harewood and the airport will remove more on-street car parks and reduce parts of Harewood Road from four lanes to two.

THe Christchurch City Council has released its design plans for the Wheels to Wings cycleway, which will form part of the network of 13 major cycleways criss-crossing Christchurch.

At its western end, the cycleway will connect with the Johns Road cycle and pedestrian underpass, linking through to the commercial areas surrounding the airport, and to McLeans Island Road via the Johns Road shared path.

Council Head of Transport Richard Osborne said the council is “proposing” to reduce the four-lane section of Harewood road to two lanes to make space for the cycleway while retaining on-street parking.

“This will encourage lower speeds and make the road safer for turning drivers and pedestrians to cross.”

“We will be installing traffic lights at the Harewood, Gardiners and Breens intersection and partially signalising the Bishopdale roundabout.

Traffic lights are planned for the Harewood Road and Woolridge Road intersection, and the Greers Road and Harewood Road intersection will also be upgraded.

Other proposed roading layout changes include:

• Turning Wilmot Street at Harewood Road into a cul-de-sac.

• Making Sails Street exit only onto Harewood Road.

• Making Chapel Street entry only from Harewood Road.

• Installing a new signalised crossing outside Harewood Primary School and extending the school speed zone.

“We have tried to minimise the removal of on-street parking, however, the competing demands for road space means that some on-street parking will be removed along the route.”

“In those areas where there is high parking demand we are proposing to put in time-restricted parking to help ensure that convenient parking is available for people.’’

Twenty-one trees will also need to be removed along the route of the cycleway, but the Council is proposing to plant a total of 56 new trees.

It is also proposing to upgrade the street lighting along the route to make the cycleway safer and more comfortable to user after dark.

Public feedback is currently being sought on the plans for the Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū cycleway. People can share their views on the route via Have Your Say between now and 22 February.

The Council will consider the submissions and finalise the route later this year, ahead of construction starting in the middle of the year.

WHERE WILL CAR PARKS BE REMOVED?

Harewood Road from Nunweek Boulevard to the Bishopdale Roundabout One-way separated cycleways on each side of the road. This will require the removal of one traffic lane in each direction along the four-lane section of Harewood Road and the removal of some on- street parking.

Harewood Road from the Bishopdale Roundabout to Greers Road A two-way separated cycleway is proposed on the northern side of Harewood Road. This will require the removal of adjacent on- street parking and one traffic lane. Additional on-street parking will be provided on the southern side of the central median.

Harewood Road from Greers Road to Matsons Avenue – A two-way separated cycleway is proposed on the northern side of Harewood Road, removing the adjacent on-street parking. Some restrictions to vehicle access at side roads are proposed.

Harewood Road from Matsons Avenue to Northern Line One-way separated cycleways are proposed on each side of Harewood Road. This will result in the removal of on-street parking on both sides of the road.

Other Key changes:

• Harewood Road reduced from four lanes to two lanes.

• New traffic signals at Harewood/Gardiners/Breens intersection and Wooldridge/HarewoodRoad intersection.

• Traffic signals at each end of the Bishopdaleroundabout.

• New signalised crossings at HarewoodPrimary School, Nunweek Boulevard, and Harewood Road near Matsons Avenue.

• Changes to vehicle access on Wilmot Street, Sails Street and Chapel Street at Harewood Road.