Cheers,
Natalie
On 6/13/07, Bob Parker <> wrote:
>
> Hello, and thankyou for the interesting (even provoking) dialogue on peak
> oil and the issues you have raised around motoring habits and public
> transport, and the urban response to them. Following is a long, and I hope,
> useful answer.
>
> In my view the issue is not just peak oil, but also a wider awareness of
> energy issues and moving toward to a more sustainable pattern of development
> and transport at the centre of which is an efficient public transport
> system. A system that is so convenient that we will use it as a matter of
> choice, preference even.
>
> As the Chair of the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS)
> for the past two years it is something close to my heart, and that I have
> spent much time thinking about as well as talking to some of the experts in
> the field.
>
> Roads will continue to have a vital role. We have some pressing roading
> issues that we need to resolve. One is the completion of the Southern and
> Northern arterial routes that connect the City to the state highway network
> these are planned, part-funded, and are a priority to finish based on
> current traffic requirements including safety and public bus transport.
> One of the goals of the UDS is to access special funding from Central
> Government much as has been the case in Auckland and Wellington but so far
> with no success in Christchurch by presenting a comprehensive and detailed
> sub-regional development plan for the "Greater" Christchurch area.
>
> Another issue is the increasing number of "bottlenecks" within our
> existing urban network that need to be resolved. Here we do have a number of
> innovative opportunities that can better utilise existing roads in a less
> capital-intensive manner: bus lanes, clearways and incentives for
> car-pooling are just a few of them.
>
> That will help deal with current issues but it is far from the complete
> answer.
>
> Our road based bus service is another key and with technological
> advances in electric and other "alternative" fuel systems it will have a
> large part to play. Already bus patronage is rising to levels we haven't
> seen for a generation. In Christchurch cycling is still the alternative mode
> of transport of preference that is more popular than buses and we can do
> better here as we continue to build our cycleway networks (again, as per the
> UDS).
>
> But right now something is missing, and that is a technology that around
> the world is playing a vital role in enabling urban regeneration and
> intensification, the rebuilding of social connectedness, and the emergence
> of a more sustainable development form. It is "light" rail.
>
> In my view we need to make a commitment to begin the planning and
> redevelopment of rail-based public transport. Not overnight, but staged and
> over time.
> In other words passenger carrying or "light rail". I prefer to think of it
> as modern, fast, efficient trams.
>
> So lets imagine that a majority of residents of Christchurch, after a good
> community discussion, come to the same conclusion and empower us as
> politicians to explore this path. What could it look like?
>
> I grew up in a Christchurch that still had passenger rail transport and
> most of the railway lines that were utilised then are still in place. These
> are often referred to as "heavy rail" or lines with the capacity to carry
> large amounts of freight as well as passengers.
>
> We could begin with passenger services based on those existing lines and
> offer services with at least three distinct routes:
> (1) Rolleston - Hornby - Addington City
> (2) Rangiora - Kaiapoi - Belfast - Papanui - Riccarton - Addington
> City
> (3) City - Linwood - Opawa - Heathcote - Lyttelton
>
> Here then are three routes that would need suitable rolling stock and
> platforms with connections to parking and buses. As the South West of the
> City continues to grow we also have the remnant of the old Hornby to Lincoln
> line (which currently finishes near Prebbleton). We should consider
> extending this into the Halswell catchment.
>
> We should also turn our minds to planning and reserving land for a new
> eastern line connecting at Belfast, travelling down the coast behind
> Brighton and looping back and joining the existing heavy rail in the Linwood
> area. This would then complete the "Circle Line" around the City, and which
> would run through some of the most densely developed residential areas in
> Christchurch.
>
> How about a new main City station at Jade Stadium linked to a bus exchange
> with a light rail link which also travels through the south of Lichfield
> precinct ("SOL") into the heart of the City perhaps to Cathedral Square.
>
> The next step, a new light rail network that forms the "spokes" within the
> outer circle line and, in some cases, crossing it to bring in outer suburbs.
> Within that are a couple of special links. The University is connected back
> to the Central city perhaps to SOL, bringing back the energy and vibrancy
> of a strong young group of citizens right into the heart of Christchurch
> with a range of inner city accommodation.
>
> I believe that we should plan for a central city (lets say inside the four
> avenues) where the use of a private car is the least likely transport choice
> a resident would make. Walking, cycling and a light passenger rail (modern
> tram) system provide all of the access and mobility required for resident
> and visitors alike.
>
> I believe we can do this, not overnight but over time, by engaging as a
> community around this vision.
>
> Some experts may say that we don't have the urban densities or the capital
> to be able to realistically afford to have this vision and I disagree.
> There are compelling economic, social and environmental reasons why I
> believe this can be achieved. Again, not overnight, but staged and over
> time.
>
> If we wait until the sceptics believe we have reached critical economic
> mass (in the narrowest sense of economics in my view) before we plan and
> envision our future then we may find that, just like Auckland, the train has
> already left the station and we have been left behind. If we look to our
> future with optimism then I think we will say we can afford to plan for the
> resurrection of passenger rail in Christchurch.
>
> Bob Parker
> Central city and Akaroa, CCC
> Info about Bob Parker: http://forums.e-democracy.org/contacts/parkerbob
>
> This topic's messages may be viewed at:
> http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/S20gN4UFPyJBx2ZCF6liv
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