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 โ these are
planned, part-funded, and are a priority to finish based on current traffic
requirements โ including safety and public bus transport. One of the goals of
the UDS is to access special funding from Central Government โ much as has been
the case in Auckland and Wellington but so far with no success in Christchurch
โ by presenting a comprehensive and detailed sub-regional development plan for
the โGreaterโ Christchurch area.
Another issue is the increasing number of โbottlenecksโ 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 โ and with technological advances in
electric and other โalternativeโ fuel systems it will have a large part to
play. Already bus patronage is rising to levels we havenโt seen for a
generation. In Christchurch cycling is still the alternative mode of transport
of preference that is more popular than buses โ 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 โlightโ 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 โlight railโ. 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 โ and most
of the railway lines that were utilised then are still in place. These are
often referred to as โheavy railโ 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 โ City
(2) Rangiora - Kaiapoi - Belfast - Papanui - Riccarton - Addington โ 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 โCircle Lineโ 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
(โSOLโ) into the heart of the City โ perhaps to Cathedral Square.
The next step, a new light rail network that forms the โspokesโ 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 โ 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 donโt have the urban densities or the capital to
be able to realistically afford to have this vision โ 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 โ 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.