The Christchurch City Council plans to overhaul a section of Marine Parade, which could eliminate over a hundred car parks.

In a statement, the council said the New Brighton community asked them for road safety and accessibility improvements on Marine Parade between Hawke Street and Bowhill Road.

Options have been developed alongside the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board and residents can now “select their preference.”

The first option, which is expected to cost $4 million, includes asphalt surface between Hawke Street and the New Brighton Surf Club, and “improved safety for pedestrians at the Hawke Street intersection.” This option will result in the loss of around 18 car parks.

The second option with an estimated cost of $4.5 million includes a chipseal surface, safe speed platforms with pedestrian crossing points, and painted cycle lanes.

This option would see the loss of about 115 car parks to make room for the proposed painted cycle lanes.

Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Jacob Bradbury said the main difference between the two options is the type of road surface.

“Because a chipseal surface isn’t as expensive as asphalt, for a similar budget we can include additional upgrades like cycle lanes,” he said.

“We really want the community to let us know what they would prefer to help inform the Community Board’s decision.”

Both options also include replacing the kerb and gutter from Lonsdale Street to 142 Marine Parade with a flat gutter, replacing the pedestrian refuge island on the entrance of the New Brighton Surf Club, installing a zebra crossing on Marine Parade near the intersection of Hawke Street.

This project will be funded by the Christchurch Regeneration Acceleration Fund (CRAF), which is government funding for transport projects.