NZ In Tranzit

A 2011 map dusted off. The green space to construct this line (designated for future housing) is easier to see on Google Maps  as is the way the line could be linked into and under Johns Road and an elbow in Orchard Road.  Small spur to the right, at Redwood is now probably, truly spurious!  NOTE  This blog posting is a revamp of an original posting I made in 2011 and reworked in 2017.  With a very real possibility that the current Labour-First-Greens Government might build and fund (most of) the re-introduction of commuter rail to greater Christchurch I have simplified and updated these ideas. At very least land could be purchased and possibily leased, for this possibility, even if seen as years away. DW  2022 New Christchurch rail link suggested   I believe that construction of a railway loop, running from the Main South Line at Islington northwards towards C hristchurch international airport, and running parallel t...

Somebody or other - I think it might have been Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychologist -  defined "intuitive" as "seeing the possibility in things".  We all have this ability, but with some people its more pronounced, just as logical thinking or a practical feel for things, or sensuous appreciation are more pronounced in other people. For better or worse I find it hard to look at anything at all, without trying to join up the dots to something else, constantly seeing the possibilities in how an object, or event, a concept might be developed further.  Two separate ideas on the boil for me at the moment are; bringing commuter rail into the very centre of Christchurch and, closer to home for me nowadays, promoting the concept of an off road [mainly] cycle trail down through the central eastern seaboard of Te Wai Pounamu.  Me being me, it was pretty well inevitable as soon as I turned my back these ideas would hop into bed together!  I have come to...

A southern cycle route down the eastern seaboard of Te Wai Pounamu would be unusually rich in built heritage, as well as varied in terrain and scenery,  I live in South Canterbury these days and have been promoting the idea that a central Eastern South Island cycle trail be built between Methven in the Ashburton District and Palmerston, the southern most boundary of  the Waitaki District.  This would offer 360 km of cycle trail incorporating many of the smaller centres of Mid and South Canterbury,and North Otago, as well as many scenic areas -  inland, foothills, coastal and riverside. Full length journeys would probably take at least 5 or 6 days, relaxed journeys even longer. The aim would be to create a Great Southern Cycle Trail of  a consistent quality, size and stature to be accredited by Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail as one of the "Great Rides of New Zealand".  If built this would be a cycle trail that would be easily ...

In God we trust; all others bring data  - W.Edwards Deming Nothing in life is ever what it seems. Look at all parts, not just the obvious. This has long become my rule of thumb.  An interesting example just appeared in a leading United Kingdom newspaper.  According to The Guardian ; a report launched last week has revealed that the cycle industry in the United Kingdom is worth three times more than the steel industry and employs twice as many people.  According to this report cycling-related businesses generate, at least 5.5 billion pounds in the UK economy and sustain 64,000 jobs. Some of these are in bike shops (and presumably manufacture) but most of these are in cycle tourism, of one sort or another.