The shared cycle/footbridge by the Antigua Boatsheds is one of the busiest cycling routes in the city (as evidenced by the cycle counter there). All this congestion does have its challenges though, causing some conflicts as different users try to make their way through the fairly narrow northern approaches. However, that’s about to change…
Starting this Monday 9th June, contractors will start work to reduce the size of the large raised planter so that there is more space for people to travel past (yes, the display counter will be relocated at the same time). This proposal was actually first consulted on way back in Mar 2022, so it’s taken a while to get to actually happening.
There will be a few impacts on bridge users and locals during the work:
- The bridge will remain open during this time, but the width of the northern pathway will be reduced while the work is happening. As a result, cyclists are asked to dismount and walk with their bikes when travelling over the bridge and through the worksite.
- Parts of the footpath outside the Antigua Boatsheds and Café will be temporarily closed, but the business will remain open as usual.
- Some on-street car parking will be temporarily unavailable during construction, but there will be no permanent loss of parking.
It’s a relatively small tweak, but hopefully it should improve the comfort for path users in the area. For more information and to monitor progress, check out the Chch City Council’s project webpage. Ideally the work should all be done by about mid-July.
What do you think of the planned works?
Why not allow cyclists to use the bit inside the hospital as a more permanent solution coming out on the bridge opposite Cashel street? Much better long term solution and that bit of the hospital (where the ED department USED to be, does not seem to be very heavily used.
Regardless, the changes that they are making will hopefully make a small (or maybe more) difference.
The other bridge is used by trucks accessing the loading/unloading docks at the hospital and by construction traffic for the hospital build. It has been deemed too hazardous for unauthorized traffic and pedestrians.