Updates from the Council chamber

The Hagley Avenue clearway has been made permanent following a decision today by Christchurch City Councillors. 

For the past year, the Council has been trialling a clearway on the north side of Hagley Avenue, between St Asaph Street and Riccarton Avenue, in response to concerns from Christchurch Hospital staff about the lack of parking near the hospital.  

The clearway operates daily between 7.30am and 7.30pm, when vehicle traffic can use the lane, meaning it is available between 7.30pm and 7.30am for parking. 

Consultation on whether the clearway should be retained permanently indicated support for keeping the clearway, with more than half (55%) of submissions generally positive about the clearway trial, 30% generally negative, and the remaining 15% either balanced or did not provide enough information for this assessment to be made.

There was no significant adverse impact on traffic flow as a result of the clearway, although the Council – and some of the submitters – noted minor behavioural issues such as cars overstaying and drivers mistakenly queueing behind parked cars before realising it was a clearway.  

Worcester Street upgrade

Councillors decided today to invest $2.5 million into upgrading Worcester Boulevard as part of the Cathedral Square roading project.

The work includes widening and renewing the footpath and road surface between Oxford Terrace and Cathedral Square, along with parking changes to support nearby developments, including the Sheraton Hotel.

The upgrade is part of the wider Cathedral Square regeneration, a key project in the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan. Construction is expected to start in spring 2026 and finish in early 2027.