$3m repair bill at old school: Cables stripped, windows smashed, ceiling torn down
Vandals have ransacked an empty Christchurch school building, despite the Ministry of Education spending $80,000 on security and fencing.
Cables were stripped, windows smashed, carpets ripped up and a suspended ceiling torn down at the former Shirley Boys’ High School site.
The vandals caused a $3 million repair bill at the old school site, potentially derailing plans for nearby Banks Avenue School to take over the property.
The North Pde building became empty when Shirley Boys’ moved to a new purpose-built school in New Brighton in May 2019.
A deal would have meant Banks Avenue School – which currently does not have a hall – could have used the gym, while sports clubs and community groups could have hired the venue and outdoor pitches in the evenings.
However, the mindless wrecking-spree could mean the property will be bulldozed, if the ministry decides it will cost too much to repair it to meet building regulations.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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88.7% Yes, it's fair
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10.6% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).
House fire causing road closures
Pages Road is closed this afternoon from Breezes Road, this is due to a house that has caught fire in the area.
Coastal Ward Community Board member, Alex Hewison, shared the closure on a local Facebook page.
Fire and Emergency are at the scene but further details have not been shared at this stage.
Avoid the area where possible.
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