Christchurch city councilors have voted in favor of a revised design for the controversial $20 million Wheels to Wings bicycle route.
The revised design for the 4.5km Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū major cycle route was approved yesterday, clearing the way for detailed design work to begin now.
“The scheme design we approved is very different from the scheme design we originally consulted on in 2020,” said Mayor Lianne Dalziel.
“Over the past two years, we have consulted extensively with the community about the design of the scheme and they have provided us with valuable feedback that has prompted us to pause and re-evaluate elements of it.
“I chaired the Harings panel that met earlier this year to consider the public submissions and it was clear to all panelists that the community was very knowledgeable and involved.
“The submissions raised some valid issues, many of which we were able to address in the revised scheme design.
“Some other issues raised by individual petitioners will be actively explored by Council staff as part of the detailed design process,” Dalziel said.
The bike path is one of the most controversial of the city’s 13 other major routes.
Councilors Sam Macdonald, James Gough, Yani Johanson, Phil Mauger, Catherine Chu and Aaron Keown voted against the bike path.
Said Keown: “The community is overwhelmingly against this, but the council is constantly doing it to the community, not the community, which is why our popularity rating is where it is.”
Earlier this year, the municipality received 1,348 entries from residents, companies and organizations on the bicycle path. Many of the submitters have provided detailed feedback and the approved scheme design includes approximately: 70 changes based on their submissions.
The Wheels to Wings cycle route continues along Harewood Rd, from the Johns Rd underpass, through Whitchurch Place and Waimakariri Rd, to the railway line where it will join the major cycle routes Nor’West Arc and Northern Line.
The western portion of Wheels to Wings, from the Johns Rd underpass to Nunweek Park, will become a shared path.
The section from Nunweek Boulevard to the Bishopdale roundabout will have a one-way cycle path in addition to the curb on either side of the road.
For the section from the roundabout to Greers Rd, there will be a two way cycle path on the north side of Harewood Road.
The final section, from Greers Rd to the railroad tracks, becomes a two-way segregated bike path on the north side of Harewood Rd.
Traffic lights will be installed at the intersection of Harewood, Gardiners and Breens Rds and the Bishopdale roundabout will be partially signaled as part of the design of the plan.
The City Council has budgeted $22.6 million for the Wheels to Wings bicycle route, including $1.2 million for traffic lights at intersections.