Author: Joanna

Shirley Road Controlled Crossing
– March 2017: Email to the Board re Shirley Rd Controlled Crossing from 10 Shirley Rd/Shirley Community Reserve to Shirley Primary School: “Since the beginning of this year the majority of parents/children are now using the traffic light crossing outside Shirley Primary School, due to the new classrooms for Years 3-6 being built on the Shirley Rd boundary. Each day cars are parked on the broken yellow lines, either side of Shirley Rd, outside Shirley Primary School. Parents are parking on the broken yellow lines due to lack of parking in this area [Downers were using the 10 Shirley Rd site, loss of access to approx 20 car parks]. Chancellor St is a dead end, and it is very hard to get back onto Shirley Rd, due to the flow of traffic at that time. Each day cars drive through the red/stop traffic lights at the crossing. Drivers seem to be focusing on the lights at the Hills Rd intersection, and seem unaware of the traffic light controlled crossing outside Shirley Primary School. There are no ‘school zone’ or ‘children crossing’ signs in this area, to remind drivers to slow down & pay more attention. Bus stops (Stop ID: 39710 & 39625) are on either side off Shirley Rd, right beside the traffic light crossing outside Shirley Primary School. The Orbiter bus stops at Stop ID: 39710, and then has to get back into the flow of traffic to turn right on to Hills Rd. There is a lot of ‘visual noise’ in this area & I’m concerned that a parent or child is going to get hurt due to a driver being distracted.”
– April 2017: Email to the Board: “Drivers can park down Chancellor St, but it is a dead end street and is very difficult to get out of during peak times due to the build up of traffic on Shirley Rd. Is it possible to create a yellow lined bay, no driving into this intersection, at the Chancellor St & Shirley Rd intersection? This would give drivers the opportunity to turn right safely when the lights are red at the crossing. Is it possible to create angled parking on the Shirley Community Centre side of Chancellor St, to create more safe car parking in this area? Is it possible to have a map created to highlight parking areas available, to be handed out to drivers parking on the yellow lines & to be put in the school newsletter as a proactive way to deal with this issue? From my observations each day after school, drivers end up slamming on their brakes when the lights turn orange at the crossing, or running the red lights. Is it possible to make the timing longer between orange to red for this set of lights crossing? If the timing was longer, a driver who is going to go through an orange light, will be through the crossing, before the green walk sign for the children crossing. Lack of signage on both sides of Shirley Rd to indicate children crossing, lights, school zone (if you aren’t from this area, coming from The Palms direction, you don’t see there is a school coming up on the drivers right hand side).”
– April 2017: Email from the Board: “Parking Compliance will monitor the area regularly. A safety audit will also be initiated by our Traffic Engineer and aspects of this will be the phasing of the lights and signage (signage needs to be gazetted and fulfil legal criteria before it can be installed).”
– June 2017: ‘Red light runners risk pupil safety’, (https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/59771689/pegasus-post-june-20-2017) “There is a signalised pedestrian crossing outside the school but red light runners have caused serious concern…A full safety audit by the Council, of traffic from Hills Rd to The Palms Shopping Centre has also begun.”
– February 2020: Many emails were sent during 2017, engaging with the Board, Council staff, Traffic Engineers, Police & the school. A safety audit was done for Shirley Rd during this time. The 3 second delay was implemented between the red light for drivers & the green light for pedestrians improved the red light runners issue. My son is now at Intermediate, so I no longer go through this area at school drop off/pick up times, but I still see distracted drivers heading towards the Hills Rd intersection go through the red lights at the controlled crossing.

Christchurch Northern Corridor Downstream Effects Projects
– September 2019: Papanui-Innes Community Board and Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board Agenda (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/09/JM-LA_20190913_AGN_3988_AT_EXTRA_WEB.htm), Minutes (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/09/JM-LA_20190913_MIN_3988_AT_EXTRA_WEB.htm).
– September 2019: “The proposed CNC plan makes it quicker/easier for drivers using the motorway, but at the expense of local residents being given restricted access to their local streets, causing anxiety/stress and impacting their wellbeing/daily life.
I disagree with the removal of the Warrington St and Forfar St roundabout, it is safe and it works well with the traffic flow. This is also the safest place to turn right (between Hills Rd & Cranford St) onto Forfar St, to get onto Westminster St and/or Innes Rd, if you are coming from Shirley Rd. Closing Forfar St will push traffic onto Westminster St then the smaller residential streets or into the already busy Hills Rd/Shirley Rd intersection, causing more problems for this area (Pg 2, Community Safety: Intersection Upgrades, CNCHearing27753JoannaGould.pdf ).
New Pedestrian Signal Crossing outside English Park: Agree, this is a very busy & distracting area during St Albans School drop off/pick up times. Pedestrian crossing needs to connect with the path from St Albans School. Cranford St from Westminster St to Warrington St needs to be ’40kmph School Zone’ during school drop offs/pick ups to make it safer. Due to our experience with red light runners at the pedestrian signal crossing outside Shirley Primary School, I would suggest the same 3 second delay from the red lights for the drivers, before activating the green pedestrian crossing light (Pg 3, Community Safety: St Albans School, CNCHearing27753JoannaGould.pdf )”
“These community safety project ideas/suggestions address issues in and around the CNC: Forfar St Zebra Crossing to St Albans Park, Forfar St/Warrington St Roundabout, Berwick St/Cranford St Intersection, Cranford St Signalised Pedestrian Crossing for St Albans School/English Park, Westminster St/Cranford St Intersection and Westminster St Platform Pedestrian Zebra Crossing for St Albans School.” (CNCHearing27753JoannaGouldOverview.pdf)
– September 2019: “The Council considered the report and recommendations for transport projects downstream of the Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC). The projects are contained in the Council’s Downstream Effects Management Plan (DEMP). The resolutions were passed by the Council as proposed, along with one extra resolution that requested ‘that the Courtney Street renewal be investigated during the next Draft Long Term Plan’.” (Item 9. https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/09/CNCL_20190924_MIN_3981_AT_WEB.htm)
– February 2020: I went to a meeting with the consultant/traffic engineers/council staff regarding Northern Arterial Extension and Cranford St Upgrade, there was strong community concern over extra traffic exiting the motorway onto Cranford St.
I didn’t realise at the time the impact the proposed Intersection upgrades (Pg 2, Community Safety: Intersection Upgrades CNCHearing27753JoannaGouldOverview.pdf) would have on Westminster St/Hills Rd/Shirley Rd area. I do hope the Warrington St/Barbadoes St Intersection upgrade is done first, so the new traffic patterns from this upgrade can be seen in real life, to determine whether the other Intersection upgrades are still required. Traffic calming decisions should be deferred at this stage, until there is a known problem with a particular street.

The Palms Suburban Interchange Upgrade
– August 2017: https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/65
Proposed Shirley Road Bus Stop Changes (by Shirley Intermediate)
1. The width of the existing separated cycle/pedestrian path would be reduced by 0.5 meters to provide space for the indented bus stop.
2. The footpath along the bus stop would be realigned and changed to shared path as the reduced footpath width is not suitable as a separated facility. The shared path at the bus stop would be usable by cyclists, pedestrians and bus passengers.
3. Extending the bus stop from one bus stop to provide space for two buses.
4. Installation of a 10m bus shelter to accommodate bus passengers.
– https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Consultation/2017/August/Shirley-Road-Options-Assessment.pdf (25th July 2017)
– https://ccc.govt.nz/assets/Documents/Consultation/2018/March/Shirley-Road-bus-stop-upgrade.pdf (27th March 2018)
– February 2019: The Palms Suburban Interchange Upgrade, Stage 1, Shirley Road Bus Stop and Shelter Upgrades “The Board discussed the health and safety issues regarding the right hand turn from Shirley Road into the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) retail outlet opposite the bus stop and shelter and felt that a comparison between the current mitigation proposals and removal of the right hand turn into KFC would aid the Board in making a decision.”
“The Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board decided to lay the report on the table and to request that staff:
1. Advise the Board on the implications of removing the right hand turn into KFC as far as traffic flow and ‘pinch points’ are concerned and provide a comparison with the proposed mitigation measures.
3. Advise the Board around the process regarding changes to the proposal as per number 1. above and whether there is a need to re consult. (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/02/PICB_20190222_MIN_3215_AT_WEB.htm)
– August 2019: Item 9. The Palms Suburban Interchange Upgrade, Stage 1, Shirley Road bus stop and shelter upgrades. (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/08/PICB_20190809_MIN_3225_AT_WEB.htm)
Community Board Resolved (original staff recommendation accepted without change)
– Updated Plan The Palms PT Hub Shirley Road Bus Stop and Shelter Upgrade, Page 11 (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/08/PICB_20190809_MAT_3225.HTM#PDF3_ATTACHMENT_21130_1) (8th August 2019)
– February 2020: “Consultation for this project ran from 16 Aug to 6 Sept 2017 and we received 13 submissions.” I was living in Shirley at this time and was unaware this consultation was taking place. I didn’t know of the proposed ‘The Palms Suburban Interchange Upgrade’ until I started researching Shirley/Richmond. I wonder how many people who currently use Shirley Rd understand how the ‘Shirley Road Bus Stop (by Shirley Intermediate)’ upgrade will affect the footpath/cycle lane/road?

Shirley Intermediate New Two Way Driveway
– Shirley Intermediate, Building Progression at SIS, “Creation of two-way vehicle access from Shirley Road”, Pegasus Post, Page 4 (10th September 2019)
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/62816464/pegasus-post-september-10-2019
– September 2019: Email sent to Papanui-Innes Community Board
“Yesterday I was reading the Pegasus Post and noticed the Shirley Intermediate School article. I was concerned to read under Building Progression At SIS, The design of the new school includes: Creation of two-way vehicle access from Shirley Road. This stretch of Shirley Road from The Palms lights/intersection to Warden Street is very busy, especially at school drop off/pick up times and when people are driving to/from home to work. I travel through this area each day and have had so many near misses with other drivers and pedestrians, that I now wait an extra 20 minutes at my son’s school before heading back through this congested area. I had previously read the Papanui-Innes Community Board agenda/minutes discussing a new Shirley Road Bus Stop, but couldn’t remember the actual plans, so I’ve just looked them up.
Attached is a .pdf (ShirleyRoadBusStopShirleyIntermediatePlans.pdf): Shirley Road Bus Stop Shirley Intermediate Plans that includes: original plan (showing blue rectangle/Access for Shirley Intermediate), approved plan, street views of Shirley Road and the issues with this area. I know the Papanui-Innes Community Board approved the plan on Friday 9 August 2019. But does the Board know about the Ministry of Education’s proposed ‘two-way vehicle access’ from Shirley Intermediate School to Shirley Road? The CCC ‘Have Your Say’ consultation was done in Aug-Sep 2017. The Ministry of Education’s rebuild plans for SIS have not been made public, they are not online anywhere. I doubt many people in the community are aware that a ‘two-way vehicle access’ is going to be created in front of the new Shirley Road Bus Stops, in a section of Shirley Road that has known safety issues. In summary, pre-teen/children’s brains aren’t fully developed, they are reliant on adults to make informed decisions that improve their safety, where they may lack observation/road safety skills. If parents are concerned about their child/children getting to/from school safely, they will be rethinking their freedom to walk/bike/scooter and instead use their car, adding to vehicle numbers. Please be mindful of the local communities. I ask [the Board] that you don’t give more weight to the consultants/statistics, and consider the practical knowledge residents have of their roads/communities.”
– February 2020: This area is already congested with a lot of ‘visual noise’, see “The Palms Suburban Interchange Upgrade” above. The Marshlands Rd/New Brighton Rd/North Pde/Shirley Rd is No. 10 in ‘The 10 Intersections with the Most Red Light Runners’ (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/109855166/red-light-running-rampant-in-christchurch). The upgrade plan is to include two bus stops instead of one, and requires moving the start of the bus stops west on Shirley Rd, which means the bus stops will be closer to ‘Access for Shirley Intermediate’. Now with the Shirley Intermediate rebuild plans finalised, ‘Creation of two-way vehicle access from Shirley Rd’ will be added right in front of the new bus stops. The footpath is being narrowed and a cycle lane is being created on the road, to the right of the bus stops, before cyclists cross in front of the new bus stops & new Shirley Intermediate two-way vehicle access, to get back onto the shared path.
So we have red light runners, people running across Shirley Rd to catch the bus, two buses pulling into bus stops & pulling out into traffic, new cycle lane, drivers waiting to turn right into KFC, school students & vehicles from the new two-way access from Shirley Intermediate able to turn left or right in front of the new bus stops. Again ‘I wonder how many people who currently use Shirley Rd understand how the ‘Shirley Road Bus Stop (by Shirley Intermediate)’ upgrade [& Shirley Intermediate New Two Way Driveway] will affect the footpath/cycle lane/road?’

Q. What kind of track can be purchased for approx $90,000 as a community resource for the local children in Shirley & Northcote?
A. Temporary/Modular/48m/10yr life expectancy track (delayed, still in transit) to be installed in Richmond, not in MacFarlane Park/Shirley. Permanent/Asphalt/400m (already installed) for Northcote (also includes a fleet of bikes, helmets & bike storage facility). Two vastly different tracks & outcomes for the children, schools & communities in the Papanui-Innes Ward.

Today Northcote children are able to enjoy their permanent asphalt bike/scooter track around the perimeter of their school ($44,400 for approx 400m).
I recently saw photos of their track on Facebook & thought that track looks great, we could put a track like that around the perimeter of Shirley Primary School, so how do we get that resource for the children of Shirley? Through a bit of online research I was able to find out that thanks to the ‘Bikes in Schools’ initiative and funding from NZTA $40,000 & Papanui-Innes Board $8,000.

Meanwhile for over a year, I have been advocating for a permanent/asphalt track in MacFarlane Park. I emailed the Board two location suggestions based on living in Shirley for 8 years & walking through MacFarlane Park every weekday. I contacted the business involved in creating the #detour track in Manchester St for a price range & to understand the construction process.
During my online research, it was frustrating to find that the Shirley community has been waiting since 2001 (the CCC consultation report says the early 1990s) for a skate/scooter/bike park in MacFarlane Park (https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/papanui-innes-skate-facilities/).
Currently the temporary modular pump track ($87,450 for 48m track, life expectancy: 10 years) has been delayed coming from Europe, and is expected to arrive at the beginning of March, to be installed at 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve, in Richmond.

I do not understand why the Papanui-Innes Board didn’t suggest the ‘Bikes in Schools’ initiative to Shirley Primary School, when the petition was presented in August 2018, or at the meeting in May 2019 when the Board discussed my correspondence & Northcote School’s DRF application, or in September 2019 when I emailed the Board my new suggestion, before they approved the purchase of the temporary modular pump track?

Shirley Track: Background
– August 2018: Petition (“Do you want a scooter, skate and bike park for Shirley? We want to ask the Christchurch City Council if we can put one in MacFarlane Park.”) presented to the Papanui-Innes Board, signed by 29 students & 1 teacher from Shirley Primary School.
The Board “requests a report with options on the funding and installation of a pump track in Shirley.”
– December 2018: ‘Modular Pump Track Shirley’ Report presented to the Board, includes 3 options for location, but no options for the type of pump track to be installed.
Staff Recommendations: “Support a 2021–2031 Long Term Plan bid for a modular pump track at Shirley Community Reserve.”
Community Board Resolved: “2. Support a modular pump track at 10 Shirley Road (the Shirley Community Reserve) and request that the Parks Team explore alternative funding to action the project within the financial year. 4. That the Board engage with the local education facilities, residents and community groups to encourage involvement and fund raising.”
– December 2018: Nor’West News article “’Temporary pump track not good enough’: A Shirley Primary School pupil says the push to install a temporary pump track is not the option he wants.”
– February 2019: Emails to the Board, see Timeline (https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/proposed-pump-track-for-shirley/)
– March 2019: Email to Council opposing the 2018/19 Capital Endowment Fund Applications: Shirley Pump Track (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/03/CNCL_20190328_AGN_3367_AT.htm#PDF3_Attachment_22966_2)
“I am concerned the Council are being asked to approve allocating ‘a grant of $87,850 from the 2018/19 Capital Endowment Fund’ on a facility that is: temporary not permanent, and located at 10 Shirley Road/Shirley Community Reserve not within MacFarlane Park, and not the type of track or location that Shannon & those that signed the petition asked for.”
Council Resolved: “Approve a grant of $87,850 from the 2018/19 Capital Endowment Fund to the Parks Unit for a modular pump track initially located at the Shirley Community Reserve.”
– May 2019: Board meeting, Item 7. Correspondence, Attachments: Joanna Gould re 10 Shirley Road, Modular Pump Track and Picnic Table (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/05/PICB_20190510_AGN_3219_AT.htm#PDF3_Attachment_23322_1)

Northcote Track: Background
– May 2019: Board Meeting (at the same meeting where my correspondence was included in the agenda) Item 10. 2018-19 Discretionary Response Fund Application – Northcote School (Decision Matrix: https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/05/PICB_20190510_AGN_3219_AT.htm#PDF3_Attachment_23238_1)
“‘Bikes in Schools’ (https://bikeon.org.nz/bikes-in-schools/) package ($95,000) includes: a fleet of new bikes (four different sizes), a bike helmet for every child (140), a combination of riding, pump and bike skills tracks and a bike storage facility.
The cost to build a track approximately 400 meters in length is $44,400. Other Sources of Funding: $40,000 New Zealand Transport Agency.”
Staff Recommendations: “Approves a grant of $7,000 from its 2018-19 Discretionary Response Fund to Northcote School towards the ‘Bikes in Schools’ initiative.”
Community Board Resolved: “Approves a grant of $8,000 from its 2018-19 Discretionary Response Fund to Northcote School towards the ‘Bikes in Schools’ initiative.”

Northcote Track: Outcome
– May 2019: Nor’West News article, “On Track To Get Kids On Bikes” Pg 3 (https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/62674055/norwest-news-may-28-2019)
– May 2019: Neighbourhood Links – Northcote/Redwood Facebook Page: “This is a fantastic initiative which involves building a bike track around the perimeter of the school, providing bikes and helmets for students to use, and storage facilities for the bikes. The track will be a great asset for the community as a whole, as it will be available for use by the wider community out of school hours. I’m so supportive of anything that gets our kids out and about and active, and look forward to Northcote School raising the remainder of the funds so that this project can be completed.”
Emma Norrish – Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board Member
– January 2020: “I took a quick detour on my ride home from a meeting this afternoon to do a lap of the brand new bike/scooter path at Northcote School. This is such a great asset for the school and our local community, which our Waipapa/ Papanui Innes Community Board was proud to help fund. The school has joined the national Bikes in Schools Programme, which provides access to well-maintained bikes and a safe environment for children to regularly practice their cycling skills whilst building their fitness and confidence.”
Emma Norrish – Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board Member, Facebook Post

Shirley Track: Outcome
– July 2019: https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-shirley-community-reserve-consultation/
– July 2019: https://www.10shirleyroad.org.nz/ccc-shirley-community-reserve-feedback/
– August 2019: Shirley Community Reserve Temporary Pump Track – ‘Have Your Say’ Consultation, Submission table and staff responses (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/09/PICB_20190913_AGN_3227_AT.htm#PDF3_Attachment_24065_6)
– September 2019: Email to the Board, Item 9. Shirley Community Reserve – temporary pump track location. “5. New Suggestion: The Board could engage with Shirley Primary School & their Board of Trustees, to work together with them to create a permanent bike/pump track in the Shirley Primary School grounds. This would address a number of the issues highlighted by the submitters in No 1. & 2. above, that can not be resolved at the Shirley Community Reserve, 10 Shirley Road site in Richmond. This could be a community lead project that connects the community through active participation involving: the School, Board of Trustees, pupils, community, NZTA?, Ministry of Education?, Bike On ‘Bikes in Schools’?, fundraising, working bees and sponsorship opportunities. This suggestion would create a much needed and long awaited local facility in the local Shirley community, providing easy and safe access for all the children of Shirley. The Board could also engage with Banks Avenue School & their Board of Trustees, to work together with them to create a permanent bike/pump track in the new Banks Avenue School grounds, on the former Shirley Boys High site in the Innes Ward.” (PapanuiInnesCommunityBoard130919Item9ShirleyCommunityReservePumpTrack.pdf)
– September 2019: Board Meeting, 9. ‘Shirley Community Reserve – temporary pump track location’ Report presented to the Board, on ‘Have Your Say’ consultation feedback (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/09/PICB_20190913_AGN_3227_AT_WEB.htm)
“4.3 There has been demand for a skate, scooter and bike park in the Shirley area identified through various community research papers since the early 1990s.” [Site: 10 Shirley Road, Shirley Community Reserve is in Richmond not Shirley. Shirley children will have to cross Shirley Road on the controlled crossing/red light runners.]
Attachment F, Shirley Community Reserve temporary pump track, Community Views and Preferences (https://christchurch.infocouncil.biz/Open/2019/09/PICB_20190913_ATT_3227_PLANS_WEB.htm)
“1.2 Not what the community asked for, Want a community centre, The track is too expensive, Safety concerns over having to cross a busy road.
1.3 A permanent skate park/pump track would cost three or four times more than a temporary pump track.
A temporary pump track is both quicker and cheaper to install and it could remain in place for up to 10 years [life expectancy] if that’s what the community want.
The temporary pump track funding has been granted through the Council Capital Endowment Fund…as the track is relocatable, it is considered to be good value for money.
1.8 Geographical distribution of responses: 71 total, 24 from Richmond, 14 from Shirley, 6 Other/walking distance, 27 from Greater Christchurch.
Richmond: 24 submitters, 17 support, 6 don’t support, 1 did not indicate
Shirley: 14 submitters, 13 support, 1 don’t support
Other: 6 submitters, 5 support, 1 did not indicate
Greater Christchurch: 27 submitters, 25 support, 2 don’t support”
Community Board Resolved: (original Staff Recommendation accepted without change)
– 19 October 2019: “Plans Approved: On Friday 13 September 2019, the Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board approved the proposal to install a temporary pump track and multi-use table at Shirley Community Reserve. We are planning to have the pump track ready to use by the end January 2020. We also expect the multi-use table to be in place by this time.” (https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/252)
– 31 January 2020: “Update: Unfortunately, due to unexpected shipping delays the pump track should arrive in the country at the start of March. Early site works are expected to begin the last week of February and it should be ready for use by the end of March. The multi-use table is planned to go in at the same time.” (https://www.ccc.govt.nz/the-council/consultations-and-submissions/haveyoursay/show/252)
– 31 January 2020: “We had a briefing in our Community Board meeting this morning. In three weeks time the fences will be going up to start ground works at the site. The track is due to arrive in the country on the 2nd March, and staff have said they are aiming to have it operational by 17th March. The change in timeline is due to a slight delay with the procurement process, which led to the track being shipped after Christmas rather than before Christmas. It is coming from Europe as modular pump tracks like this are not available in our part of the world.”
Emma Norrish – Waipapa/Papanui-Innes Community Board Member, RADS Facebook Page