Reported in the Cycle path category anonymously at 13:01, Tue 24 March 2015
Sent to Christchurch City Council 15 sec later.
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Works associated with ultrafast broadband installation on Gasson St northbound at Wordsworth St force cyclists into general traffic lane with no warning for cyclists or drivers.
Approaching site a “Lane closed” sign indicates that the left lane is closed, followed by a taper directing traffic from lane 1 into lane 2. As taper starts from line markings on edge of cycle lane, it is unclear if temporary cycle lane has been provided through site or if cyclists should move across to lane 2 with cars & trucks. If they stay in the cycle lane, they are confronted by cone bars blocking cycle lane and lane 1 on north side of intersection, forcing them unexpectedly into lane 2. If they try to get into lane 2 prior to the taper, drivers have not been warned to expect “Merging Cyclists”, and cyclists have to merge into lane 1 and then into lane 2.
Traffic Management Plan for this worksite (TMP #27781 on http://www.transportforchristchurch.govt.nz/map/) refers to impacts as only “Vehicle Lane(s) Closed”, with no reference at all to impacts on cyclists. It is disappointing that the STMS setting up this site apparently thought that the TMP was appropriate to the worksite, even though the site has a marked cycle lane which the works are blocking (see first point in Section A5.8.3 “STMS’s general responsibilities on level LV, 1, 2 and 3 roads” from the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management). It is also disappointing that there does not appear to be “adequate monitoring and auditing off all traffic management” by the appropriate Road Controlling Authority to prevent this type of (apparently) non-compliant site operating on its roads (see A5.5.1 “Traffic Management Coordinator’s responsibilities”).
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