Christchurch East bus stop audits

ViaStrada undertook Scheme Design Safe System Audits for Christchurch City Council’s Linwood Bus Stop Improvements programmes, reviewing proposed bus stop upgrades (including new shelters), stop relocations, and associated pedestrian facilities across multiple corridors in eastern Christchurch, including Pages Road, Buckleys Road, Wainoni Road, Woodham Road, Tuam Street, Hereford Street, and Stanmore Road.

The audits assessed proposed designs against Waka Kotahi Safe System Audit Guidelines and Public Transport Design Guidance, with a focus on minimising risk for all road users. Key areas reviewed included bus stop geometry, entry and exit lengths, pedestrian crossing facilities, path width clearances, cycling provision, accessibility, sightlines, and interactions between buses, pedestrians, cyclists, and general traffic.

Across two stages, ViaStrada identified opportunities to improve safety and operational performance through refinements such as increasing bus stop clearances and bay lengths, improving crossing facility consistency, enhancing pedestrian accessibility, maintaining adequate space for cyclists, and addressing visibility constraints near intersections and driveways. The audits provided practical recommendations to support safer, more accessible, and user-friendly public transport infrastructure while aligning with Christchurch City Council’s transport and safety objectives.