After years of frustration and unanswered requests, Community Board member Ali Jones says she’s relieved a long-overdue trial is finally underway to address traffic light issues on Manchester Street in central Christchurch.
Starting today, May 12, a four-week trial will see bags placed over problematic bus-only traffic lights between Hereford Street and Gloucester Street. The lights have long been blamed for stopping traffic unnecessarily.
“It is one of the worst streets in the city for traffic flow,” Jones said.
Manchester Street, which reportedly cost $20 million, operated as a one-way road for two years before reopening to two-way traffic in July 2018.
More than two years ago, Jones raised concerns about traffic lights between Hereford and Worcester Streets that appeared to halt vehicles for buses that weren’t there.
“Traffic had to stop for significant periods of time with no buses in sight, so about a year ago I raised the issue with staff and eventually was told that it was because they had been installed incorrectly by Ōtākaro—but it was too expensive to take them out,” she said. “These lights had been operating wrongly for several years; it was a head-shaking moment.”
Jones said she suggested last October that simply covering the lights with bags might be a cost-effective solution but never received a reply.
“To see the memo last week, sent to councillors and senior staff members saying a trial that will see bags placed over these useless lights is starting soon, is excellent news,” she said. “I thank the Mayor and others who must have pushed for this.”
The memo, dated April 28, was only sent to the Papanui Innes Central Community Board after Jones specifically requested it. It confirms the four-week trial starting today, targeting the super stop bus gates between Hereford and Worcester Streets, and between Worcester and Gloucester Streets.
Jones said while the trial is a positive step, Manchester Street still has a long way to go.
“This is a great start to getting the roadway working effectively for all vehicles and pedestrians,” she said. “Next, we need to sort the light phasing out because stopping at each block is ridiculous and has also been happening for years.”
