The event, from 2pm in the grounds of St Barnabas Church, is open to anyone who wants to attend. It will include musical performances by students from thelocal primary schools. If it’s raining, the celebration will be held in the church hall.

The upgrade of Fendalton Road started in September last year. The work was done in stages, with the final landscaping completed last month. City Council project manager Kevin Burgess says the upgrade was needed to meet future traffic needs and to improve the safety of the road. “A prime objective was to keep and enhance the character of the road as the gateway to Christchurch, through landscaping and enhancing the historic sites and buildings,” he says.

The new road has a landscaped median, cycle lanes, and visitor parking among the existing trees where possible. The project also includes providing off-street parking to serve the needs of visitors to St Barnabas Church.