The Wheels to Wings - Papanui ki Waiwhetū cycleway plans included upgrading a controversial intersection and reducing the number of lanes on Harewood Rd from four to two. The plans were heavily criticised by business owners and a Christchurch city councillor.
The planned cycleway would provide a connection for local cycling trips in Harewood, Bishopdale and Papanui.Christchurch City Council transport, planning and delivery manager Lynette Ellis said on Thursday getting the community’s input is a vital step in the design process and would lead to improvements in the designs.
"Now that the public consultation period for the Wheels to Wings cycleway has ended, staff will review all the submissions and consider what changes should be made to the proposed design.
"We will be talking through the feedback we have received, changes to the cycleway and the next steps with the local community boards over the next few months.
"Later this year a hearings panel will be convened to consider all the submissions received. The hearings panel will also consider council staff’s recommendations for design plan changes.
"It is during this process that submitters will have a chance to address the hearings panel in person," Ellis said.
The planned cycleway will form part of the network of 13 major cycleways across Christchurch.
At its western end, the cycleway will connect with the Johns Rd cycle and pedestrian underpass, linking through to the commercial areas surrounding the airport, and to McLeans Island Road via the Johns Road shared path.
At its eastern end, Wheels to Wings - Papanui ki Waiwhetū will connect directly to the Northern Line cycleway and the planned Nor’West Arc cycleway.
The budget for the cycleway is about $19 million. About half that cost is expected to be met by Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, Ellis said.
