Proposed University Crossings safety improvement project in Ilam Road

Contact:	Jennie Hamilton Phone: 941-5207 , 027 225 0671 Fax: 941-8384
Description:	To view most current Information Leaflet please copy and paste link: http://www1.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=858 Proposal aims to improve safety for .... See a full description below

Affects
Areas affected:
Wards affected:	Riccarton, Wigram
People affected:	General community

Timeframe
Open date:	19/07/2012
Close date:	5:00p.m. 10/08/2012

Links
Project information:	Project Details Link
Map:
Project website:
Consultation website:	http://resources.ccc.govt.nz/files/business/JHamilton-FinalPIL-ProposedUniversityCrossingsIlamRoad.pdf
Other links:	Plans  Comment Form  Start Work Notice Plan

Full description

To view most current Information Leaflet please copy and paste link: http://www1.ccc.govt.nz/HaveYourSay/ConsultationView.aspx?ConsultId=858 Proposal aims to improve safety for pedestrians Improving pedestrian safety is the main objective of the University Crossings project in Ilam Road. Hundreds of university students, staff and other pedestrians cross the busy road to and from the University of Canterbury. Many Ilam School and Kirkwood Intermediate School pupils also cross Ilam Road. To improve safety the City Council is proposing to build median islands with pedestrian crossing points within the project area stretching from the Rountree Street intersection to the Creyke Road/Maidstone Road intersection. This will allow pedestrians to cross the road in two stages. Existing kerbs will remain but build-outs are planned so pedestrians can more clearly see vehicles driving along Ilam Road, and to reduce crossing distances. Berms along this section of road will be removed and replaced with a hard surface to provide wider footpaths that can be shared with cyclists. Confident cyclists are expected to stay on the carriageway so they are not held up by pedestrians. In addition, traffic lanes by the islands will be 3.2 metres wide so that vehicles do not attempt to overtake cyclists. Proposed plans are linked and a summary of the project is below. The Council welcomes further comments or suggestions. Project summary Key features of the proposal to improve pedestrian safety on Ilam Road are: • Establishment of two ‘gateways’ at the intersections with Montana Avenue and Rountree Street to indicate a pedestrian friendly area. • A solid landscaped median island through two sections of the scheme area between University Drive and Montana Avenue, and Homestead Lane and the pedestrian crossing by Ilam School. • Introduction of pedestrian crossing locations and informal cross connections. Tactile pavers will be installed at identified pedestrian desire lines. • A shared pedestrian/cycleway on each side of the carriageway measuring approximately 3 metres wide. • Adjustments e.g. build-outs to other priority controlled intersections (Rountree Street and Montana Avenue). • An extra bus stop (an increase from two to three) to improve bus waiting and operations and provision of three shelters on each side of the carriageway. • Retention of on-street parking (about 38 on-street parking spaces will be removed to accommodate build-outs to assist pedestrians and also to provide an extra bus stop). • Improved lighting. On-street parking along Ilam Road The proposal still retains parking along Ilam Road in the project area but the number of spaces will be reduced by about 38. The impact will be offset by the 2000 reduction in student numbers since 2010. If the proposal is approved, the Council will monitor any impacts of the changes on surrounding residential streets. The University is promoting a programme encouraging the use of public transport and cycling. The extra bus stops and bus shelters should improve conditions for travellers choosing to travel by public transport. Shared cycle/footpath The proposed shared path gives cyclists the right to ride on the footpath. It is expected that only less confident cyclists, or those riding slowly, will use the shared path. Commuter or faster cyclists will continue to use the road. Segregated footpath/cycle lanes, when defined only by line marking, have not worked effectively in Christchurch. Pedestrians and cyclists use both sides and this can cause conflict. A better option is the shared path where both types of users yield to each other and share the space. This removes user expectations that they have ownership over a portion of the space. In addition, segregated cycle lanes are not enforceable, require more maintenance and can look unsightly with a centre line along the middle. The shared path design that has been used for years in Hagley Park and in various locations around the city puts the responsibilitiy on the users to be considerate and share the space. This is considered the most appropriate option for Ilam Road. Why not extend the school speed zone? Extending the current school zone along the front of the university would not meet the criteria for school zones or the setting of the speed limits rule. Ilam Road is designated as a collector road. This means its purpose is to move traffic between residential areas and arterial roads. Council traffic engineers believe that reducing a long stretch of Ilam Road to 40km/hr before and after school would not be effective or permitted. What happens now The Ilam Road safety improvement project report is expected to be considered by the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board in October 2012. Those who comment on the proposal will be provided with the project team’s responses to issues, and details of the Community Board meeting. You are welcome to discuss this project with City Council staff at a drop-in session at Ilam School, 66 Ilam Road, on Tuesday 24 July from 4pm to 6.30pm. You can comment by: • Returning the enclosed freepost form • Visiting the Christchurch City Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ website: www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay. • Contacting the Consultation Leader: Jennie Hamilton Consultation Leader Christchurch City Council Phone: (03) 941-5207 Email: Jennie.Hamilton@ccc.govt.nz Please ensure that your feedback reaches us by 5pm on Friday 10 August 2012.

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