FAQ - An Accessible City

1. Why are we seeking feedback?

We want to make sure An Accessible City is true to its title. The transport system should meet the changing needs of people and businesses and be sustainable and affordable with safe reliable and resilient travel choices. The streets, cycleways and walkways also need to work well with the buildings and public spaces to create great places for living, working, shopping and recreation.

To do this we want to better understand the needs of the people and businesses of Christchurch.
We want to get people to think about their transport needs, or a typical journey, and ask them whether this draft transport chapter meets those needs or could be improved.

We are interested in hearing people’s views on all aspects of the draft plan, including pedestrian and cycle routes and facilities, the bus system, streets (including one-way/two-way issues) and how to make the central city accessible to all.

2. How was An Accessible City developed?

The Christchurch Central Recovery Plan was approved on 30 July 2012. It contained limited information on transport in the central city. It was intended that more detailed work would be done after 30 July 2012 to design a transport system to support the recovery of the central city.

An Accessible City is the draft transport chapter of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. It has been developed by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) with extensive input from Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

3. What is An Accessible City trying to achieve?

The intention is to create a central city transport system that will be flexible and resilient, able to accommodate projected population growth as well as supporting growth in travel by public transport, walking, cycling and driving.

The transport system will allow people to travel easily between the central city and other parts of Christchurch and to get to key destinations within the central city. The draft transport chapter includes big-picture information on:

the overall transport system for pedestrians, cycles, public transport and private vehicles
future road layouts
speed zones and streetscapes
parking
service vehicle requirements

4. When will it happen?

Significant change will be visible within five years. The implementation of these changes will be phased over time, with some delivered as part of anchor projects: for example changes to Cambridge Terrace as part of the development of Te Papa Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct.

5. What will happen to one-way streets?

Most will remain but will be enhanced to be in keeping with the surrounding environment.

Cambridge Terrace will be slowed and enhanced to blend in with Te Papa Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct.
Tuam Street will become a west-east one-way street to accommodate the impact of Te Papa Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct and the Stadium on Oxford Terrace and Lichfield Street.
Salisbury and Kilmore Streets will become two-way streets.

8. What about the light rail proposals?

Light rail is outside the scope of the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan, which focuses on the central city. All future public transport options for Christchurch are to be considered in a study to be led by Environment Canterbury. An Accessible City does not preclude alternative forms of public transport in the future.

9. What is not covered in the draft chapter?

Decisions have already been made on the location of the city’s “Anchor Projects” and the implications of those locations are outlined in the draft chapter. We are now seeking feedback on the supporting transport system and whether this proposal meets your needs. If not, please tell us how the proposal could be improved.

10. How can I get a copy of An Accessible City?

You can download a copy of the draft transport chapter from An Accessable City, or call 0800 7464 2372, or email transport@ccdu.govt.nz

11. Where can I get more information about the transport proposals?

As well as the draft transport chapter there will be material on the CERA website explaining what is proposed. There will also be media coverage on An Accessible City in the Christchurch press and on radio. We will be speaking to a range of groups and we will consider additional presentations in the New Year (2013) once people have had time to consider the material.

11. How do I make a submission?

Submissions on An Accessible City closed on 1 February 2013.

12. When is the closing date for submissions?