Residents may have noticed the new large cut face immediately on the east side of the Churton Park bridge. This face was planned to be cut at a batter slope of 1vertical to 1 horizontal (45 degrees) However now that the site has been opened up, the material has been found to be far more shattered and unstable than assumed. The result is that the slope will now be flattened back to 1 vertical to 2 horizontal to ensure stability. Because it is such a high cut, it will now extend an additional 50 metres, and require an additional 15,000 cubic metres of excavation. Another large cut face further towards Middleton Road also will be flattened off. This second cut has more impact on Glenside.

The upside of this change is that the cut slope will now have to be fully planted out with native trees and shrubs. In time the appearance will be far more natural than the originally proposed steep cut face. Good revegetation is essential, as the cut will be very visible from residences in the north east corner of Churton Park

The City Council (as developer) applied for a change to the conditions of the consent. CPCA made comments on the application, and we are very pleased that some of them have been included in the revised consent conditions. The main condition now included that will affect residents, is that the contractor will not be permitted to remove excavated material through Churton Park. All cartage off site will have to be from the Middleton Road end.

The WCC Engineer, Stephen Harte says that the cost of the additional work can be accomodated within the approved budget, and that completion by the end of 2012 is still achievable.

Residents will have noticed the slow progress with the construction of the new road. According to Stephen Harte, WCC Project Manager, the delay has been caused by unforeseen unsuitable ground conditions for the abutment of the bridge at Middleton Road. The bridge has now been redesigned and work is about to recommence, with completion expected by March 2012. The previously advised completion date for this bridge was July 2011. In this same location, the construction of the Middleton Road roundabout is due to commence in September.

At the west (Churton Park) bridge some progress has been made with the construction of the west abutment. This bridge is expected to be complete by Christmas.

Excavation for the major part of the project can not commence until the bridges are complete. Overall completion of the project has been set back now to the end of 2012.

An update on the programme for the construction of the Westchester Drive link has been received from Stephen Harte, the WCC Project Engineer.

The contract has now been awarded to Fulton Hogan Ltd.

Work on site is expected to start in late November. There will be an 18 month construction period, with the first task being the construction of the bridge at Middleton Road. Because of the layout of the site, earthworks will be carried out from the road itself, working towards the Churton Park end.

A community liaison group will be set up with representatives from both the Glenside and Churton Park.

More information about the project and information about the construction will be posted on this site.

Start date set for Westchester Drive Link

An update on the programme for the construction of the Westchester Drive link has been received from Stephen Harte, the WCC Project Engineer.

Tenders for the construction contract will close on 24 September, with work on site expected to start in late October. There will be an 18 month construction period, with the first task being the construction of the bridge at Middleton Road. Because of the layout of the site, earthworks will be carried out from the road itself, working towards the Churton Park end.

A community liasion group will be set up shortly with representatives from both the Glenside and Churton Park.

The President of the Churton Park Community Association, Ed Crampton welcomed the news that a definite start date has now been fixed. He said that there were many in the community who were wondering if the project would ever get underway.