The Waipapa Papanui-Innes-Central Community Board has recommended retaining peak-hour bus lanes on Cranford Street, despite opposition.

After hearing from 15 deputations at a recent meeting, the board voted to maintain the bus lanes during peak times on the southbound and northbound sections. The decision now moves to the Christchurch City Council for final approval in December.

Board member Ali Jones expressed disappointment, saying the decision runs counter to the community’s wishes.

“The clearway was what most people wanted, as shown in more than 600 submissions. The bus lane hasn’t reduced traffic or congestion over three years of trial; in fact, it’s only increased driver frustration and made our streets less safe.”

A council consultation on Cranford Street options received 632 submissions, with 48% favouring a clearway during peak hours, 42% supporting a bus lane, and 10% advocating for a T2 lane for high-occupancy vehicles.

At the meeting, Innes Councillor Pauline Cotter said, “We also have to remember that a consultation is not a vote, it’s not a numbers game. It’s about the content of the submissions, and I believe the submitters who support the bus lane actually had a stronger basis, in my view.”

Papanui Councillor Victoria Henstock disagreed, saying, “One of the biggest criticisms we constantly hear about consultations is, ‘Council never listens, so why bother?’ Today’s vote was a classic example of not listening.

“We are constantly trying to improve public participation in our engagement, and ignoring the wishes of the public today from this consultation is not going to go any way towards improving public engagement.”

Council staff had recommended the clearway option, which would have provided a vehicle lane during peak hours to help reduce congestion and gridlock for up to five years. Jones and Henstock argued that a clearway, combined with enhanced safety measures like pedestrian barriers, red light cameras, and enforcement, would better serve the community by addressing Cranford Street’s traffic issues and reducing emissions.

Jones raised concerns for pedestrian safety, particularly near schools, saying, “As Andrea Harnett, the principal of St Albans Primary School, said today, what price do we put on the life of a child?”

Board chair Emma Norrish supported the bus lane option, casting her vote for a T2 lane. She acknowledged the complex impacts of the Christchurch Northern Corridor on local traffic flow, saying, “It’s good for the local St Albans community to be a step closer to having a permanent layout for this section of Cranford Street. The opening of the Christchurch Northern Corridor was always going to have big implications for this community.”

Jones also criticised what she described as “misinformation and hyperbole” surrounding the issue, rejecting statements that a clearway would require future expansion to six or even eight lanes as “nonsense.”

“We all want our community to be safe, to move around easily, and to reduce emissions. The bus lane, as reports and evidence show, has not achieved this on Cranford Street.”

The board approved a recommendation for two permanent northbound lanes on a 300m section between Berwick Street and Westminster Streets to reduce merging and improve safety. Implementation of the new measures, including the bus lane upgrades, is expected to cost $250,000 and is anticipated to start in early 2025.

The City Council will now consider the community board’s recommendation in December. Should councillors opt for the clearway over a bus lane, the matter will return to the community board for final approval.