Aranui community forces council to change transport plans
Photo: Christchurch City Council
Community input has led to significant changes in street upgrades across Aranui.
A trial focusing on “enhancing safety and accessibility” around Hampshire Street, Rowan Avenue, Breezes Road, and Shortland Street, especially near schools, has recently concluded.
The upgrades introduced new pedestrian crossings near schools, speed humps, improved intersections, removal of bollards outside Hampshire Street shops, and broader footpaths.
Following the completion, the Council asked for feedback, which extends until April 15.
Jacob Bradbury, the Transport Planning and Delivery Manager at Christchurch City Council said “the community is really engaged with this project, which is fantastic because it allows us to implement changes swiftly based on their immediate feedback and experiences."
Bradbury noted specific adjustments made in response to community feedback, including the removal of bollards outside Wainoni Park and alterations to the intersection treatment at Tahuna Street and Shortland Street after consultations with nearby industrial businesses.
Funded by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s Streets for People programme, the project has a total budget of $2.6 million, with approximately $700,000 spent so far.
Local groups, including schools like Haeata Community Campus, St James School, and Chisnallwood Intermediate, as well as ACTIS and community police, have raised safety concerns, leading to the development of the current designs.
Input from students and public feedback gathered in September 2023 played a role in the approval of the work by the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board and the Council.
"We want to get this right for the Aranui community, so tell us what you like, what could be improved, and we'll address it together" Bradbury said.
Decisions on the permanent status of the trial installations will be made by the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board in June, determining which elements will remain, be removed, or undergo modifications.
