Principles to achieve the vision and shape the Council’s future investment are established in the plan. This will ensure Christchurch has a network of safer streets, efficient vehicle and freight routes, attractive cycleways, easy pedestrian access and public transport infrastructure that makes it an attractive and economical travel choice for a greater number of people.
The Plan acknowledges that the priority for Council during the next decade will be to replace the city’s earthquake-damaged infrastructure, while using this work as an opportunity to shift towards a more sustainable transport network.
The Plan has four goals:
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to improve access and choice;
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to create safe, healthy and liveable communities;
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to support economic vitality; and
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to create opportunities for environmental enhancements.
Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan
Christchurch Cycle Design Guidelines
The Christchurch Cycle Design Guidelines illustrate how cycleways in Christchurch should look and feel. They include recommended design principles and design concepts of how cycleways can fit into different types of street environments in Christchurch. This document goes hand-in-hand with the Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan that highlights the importance of catering for cycling in the city rebuild.
FAQs for the Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan
1. What is the Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan?
The Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan is a 30-year vision that has been developed by the Christchurch City Council to keep the city moving forward by providing its residents and visitors with transport choices that connect people and places.
2. Why does the city need such a Plan?
Christchurch needs to ensure it has an effective transport network to aid its recovery from the earthquakes and to enable the city to grow and attract new business, investment and people. The Plan recognises there needs to be a network of safer street environments, efficient vehicle and freight routes, attractive cycleways, easy pedestrian access and a public transport infrastructure that makes it an attractive and economical travel option for a greater number in the community.
3. Shouldn’t our priority simply be to repair our damaged roads?
It is acknowledged that the priority for the Council during the next decade is to focus on the replacement of the damaged transport infrastructure in the city and this will happen. However, the earthquakes have also provided the opportunity to shift towards a more sustainable transport network that provides greater choice, opportunity and efficiency than currently available. The Plan helps establish the principles for the long-term vision and shape the Council’s transport investment in the future.
4. How much will this Plan cost?
The biggest challenge facing the city will be funding the investment needed to improve the city’s transport network. This will only be achieved if the Council and its partner agencies recognise opportunities during the earthquake rebuild and support the long-term commitment to the Plan. It must be acknowledged this is a 30-year plan.
5. Who is going to pay to implement the actions in the Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan?
The cost of the projects identified in the Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan will be paid for by the Council and its partner agencies. The partner agencies include the New Zealand Transport Agency and Environment Canterbury.
6. Has the plan taken into consideration the needs of cyclists and pedestrians?
Yes, the need to encourage more effective use of the road network has been recognised in the Christchurch Transport Strategic Plan. This looks to greater use of public transport and more walking and cycling for shorter distance trips (less than two kilometres). Key to the plan is the introduction of a road classification system that has a stronger relationship with land use, rather than simply allowing roads to dominate. New road designs would recognise that roads and streets have a wider function than simply moving vehicles.
