Road upgrades for Shirley intersection will begin next week.

The Shirley Road, Hills Road and Warrington Street intersection is the first of two works “packages” to begin in the area.

Changes include the installation of a raised platform across the intersection, a raised pedestrian crossing, a new green turning arrow from Hills Road into Warrington Street and other “traffic calming” measures.

Christchurch City Council Transport Operations Manager Stephen Wright said the intersection is well-used by residents using all forms of transport, but there are a lot of people walking through the area.

“With the high number of pedestrians heading to and from school, early childhood centres, shops, and the Shirley Reserve and Pump Track, we want to make sure these more vulnerable road users are as safe as everyone else travelling through the neighbourhood.”

The intersection will remain open to traffic for most of the construction period, which is expected to run throughout May and June. It will be closed to traffic for one weekend in June to install the platform.

“There will naturally be delays throughout this time, so we’re working closely with affected residents and businesses to manage the impacts, and to make sure customers can still access their local shops.”

“We thank people in advance for their patience.”

Work on the second package at the Shirley Road, New Brighton Road, Marshland Road and North Parade intersection – by The Palms Shopping Centre – will begin next month.

Both intersections rank in the top 1% for crash risk among Christchurch intersections out of more than 5,700 intersections citywide under Council control.

The projects were approved by the local community boards in February.