Pedestrians given priority in Christchurch transport revamp

Public transport routes and infrastructure will encourage bus travel to and from the central city.. Photo / Geoff Sloan

Traffic will be slowed and pedestrians given priority in post-quake Christchurch under a draft transport plan, which the public is now invited to have their say on.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee says the plan prioritises streets for buses, cycles, pedestrians, and cars to improve travel across the rebuilt city.

Cathedral Square will be "largely pedestrian'' and the CBD's speed limits reduced to 30km/h.

Pedestrians will have priority on central streets, with walkways to Hagley Park.

Transport was excluded from the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan when it was launched in July.

The new Accessible City draft Transport Plan has today been released and the public had been invited to make comments and contributions.

Public transport routes and infrastructure will encourage bus travel to and from the central city.

The Bus Interchange will be located in the block bounded by Tuam, Colombo, Manchester and Lichfield streets.

It will also cater for inter city coaches, airport transfers and taxis.

City centre routes will be high frequency and every 10 minutes in peak periods.

Bus stops will be on every two city blocks.

"It won't be hard to get around,'' says CCDU head Warwick Isaacs.

The plan includes capacity for 6000 off street parking.

A "super stop'' will be near the hospital with good access to the Metro Sports Facility, health precinct and South Frame in the blueprint.

Manchester St will be widened, Tuam St one way.

The city council is also considering repairing the heritage tram system.