Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://letstalk.ccc.govt.nz/amyes-road-renewal
June 2025
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Amyes Road Street Renewal.
Introduction
Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,300 followers. Spokes is affiliated with the national Cycling Action Network (CAN – https://can.org.nz/). Spokes is dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport in the greater Christchurch and Canterbury areas. Spokes has a long history of advocacy in this space including writing submissions, presenting to councils, and working collaboratively with others in the active transport space. We focus on the need for safe cycling for those aged 8 to 80. Spokes also supports all forms of active transport, public transport, and has an interest in environmental matters.
Overview
Amyes Road is becoming increasingly busy as a route between Hornby and Wigram. In addition there is an increasing number of infill housing developments on Amyes Road that do not have any parking or have very narrow entrances with poor visibility of the traffic, including of cyclists and pedestrians. This combination of increased vehicle traffic, increased parking on the road and high number of vehicles coming out of back properties with narrow driveways and high fences is making it more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. The width of the road also encourages speeding.
Amyes Road – Awatea Road is an important route for people riding bicycles to get between Hornby and Wigram/Halswell. There are already cycle lanes and shared paths up much of Awatea Road. To complete this route this is also an opportunity to put some safe cycling infrastructure on along Goulding Avenue and Chalmers St to connect it to the Hornby Hub, Papanui Club, Hornby High School, Matatiki Hornby Centre, and the South Express cycleway. In the other direction it connects with Wigram and the Little River Link MCR.
Spokes would like to see a separated cycleway on Amyes road. The width of the road allows a separated cycleway, parked car protection, and parking on the road side. This could be done with paint and bollards. This should be paired with pedestrian crossings and refuges at key points including improvement of the crossing outside South Hornby School with curb build-outs at key intersections. Any build-outs should allow cyclists to bike behind them.
The Amyes Road, Springs Road Awatea Road intersections were consulted on in April. The crossing on Amyes Road at the Springs Road intersection is problematic for both cyclists and pedestrians. Reviewing this crossing again for this submission in the winter has shown a significant problem with evening sun strike. Drivers turning left from Springs Road into Amyes Road are suddenly blinded and cannot see pedestrians crossing in front of them. Please see Spokes previous submission on this intersection for more details.
Trevor St and Brindley Street is an alternative route to the school and the shops on the south-east side of Main South Road and Shands Road. It is unfortunately not a suitable through route as the Main South Road intersection is not suitable for most cyclists. Amyes Street needs a suitable pedestrian crossing at Trevor Street. Trevor Street should have build-outs and a stop sign to slow traffic down.
Witham Street also needs the same treatment as Trevor Street. The pedestrian refuge on Witham should be widened to provide space for cyclists and cargo bikes.
The South Hornby School Kea crossing needs to be upgraded, including more facilities for children who cycle and scooter to school. Speed humps should be added. The footpath also needs to be widened. The crossing on Branford Street should also be upgraded.
The Shands Road intersection needs to be upgraded, adding in appropriate cycle infrastructure and both inviting and encouraging cyclists to go straight on rather than turning right into Shands Road as it is a much safer route.
I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.
Ngā mihi nui
Submissions Co-ordinator
Spokes Canterbury
submissions@spokes.org.nz
