Innovating Streets

The Beckenham Neighbourhood Association (BNA), together with the Christchurch City Council, made a successful bid to Waka Kotahi | NZ Transport Agency’s Innovating Streets For People fund in May 2020. The application was one of four successful projects in Christchurch and received just over $200,000. Which we are called the ‘Better Beckenham project’ requested funds for “a series of temporary streetscape amendments that aim to slow traffic and create a safer and more accessible walking and cycling environment.”

Although the application was broad, it listed some possible specific interventions:

  • Reducing the speed limit within the Beckenham Loop.

  • Temporarily closing Fisher Ave to through traffic

  • ‘Gateway’ treatments at key entrance junctions to inform motorists.

  • A series of interventions on Birdwood Ave that could include:

  • Intersection repairs to improve safety at Martin, Malcolm and Corson Aves

  • Improved pedestrian and public space such as seating, and shorter crossings for pedestrians

  • Improved cycling safety

  • Greening and landscaping

Other than the speed limit change to 40 km/h, none of the other projects proposed have been undertaken by the Christchurch City Council. CCC has indicated that they have run out of time to implement the community proposed projects.

There are two related local projects already funded under other programmes, these are:

Tennyson St: A safe crossing point was in the Council’s minor works program in the 2020 financial year. It didn’t happen but a wider island was consulted on in August 2021. The sense is that this does not meet the needs of local residents, but watch this space.

Eastern and Waimea Tces: The Ōpāwaho River Route is one of the Christchurch Major Cycleways. It goes along the river around the Beckenham Loop, and is due to be built in 2022/23.