Cycleways get $41.6m cash boost from Govt

Christchurch’s $156 million cycleway project has received an unexpected multimillion-dollar boost from the Government.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced yesterday the Government would contribute $41.6 million to fasttrack seven of the city’s 13 planned cycleway routes. It would also spend another $1m on two cycleways in the Waimakariri district.

The funding assistance, part of a $333m investment nationally, could not have come at a better time, Christchurch City councillor Phil Clearwater said.

The seven cycleways will cost $65m to build but the Government’s contribution means it will now cost the council just $23.5m.

‘‘Being able to deliver $65m of the $156m programme over the next three years for a local investment of $23.5m represents great value for Christchurch ratepayers,’’ said Clearwater, chairman of the council’s infrastructure, transport and environment committee. ‘‘Our transport plan for the future identifies that we can’t keep building roads that cost a lot to maintain and get clogged up.’’

The council still has to approve the funding and Clearwater hoped that could happen when it approved its Long Term Plan today.

The seven routes selected were important connections. Council staff prioritised them as the first to be built.

They include the Papanui Parallel (4.9 kilometres), Northern Line cycleway (2.5km), Uni-cycle (5.6km), Little River Link (3km), Quarryman’s Trail (3.7km), Heathcote Expressway (7.1km) and the Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway (6.3km).

The money also included funding for a cycle route linking Rangiora and Woodend, and Rangiora and Kaiapoi.

The funding will come from the Government’s $100m Urban Cycleways Fund – part of the $333m, four-year cycling investment – and the National Land Transport Fund.

Spokes Canterbury chairman Don Babe said the announcement was a ‘‘Goldilocks’’ moment for people wanting more transport choice. ‘‘In addition to the council listening to the wishes of ratepayers, central government has also realised that there are few transport projects that provide benefits to so many people as cycling infrastructure.’’

Babe hoped the cycleways would encourage potential cyclists who did not ride because of safety concerns to get on their bikes. ‘‘If this includes a lot of school children, the impact will be felt by society for a number of years.’’