April 20, 2004

Wairau-Taharoto corridor upgrade on track

Initial public feedback on the proposed Wairau Rd, Shakespeare Rd and Taharoto Rd "corridor" upgrade has shown North Shore City Council is on the right track on the long-term project.

Nearly 1000 responses from the public, schools, businesses and North Shore Hospital confirmed the council's in tune with community views, and also raised other important issues.

These will now be taken into account in the concept design process.

Works and environment committee chairperson, Joel Cayford, says upgrades will be implemented that will benefit drivers, public transport users, cyclists and walkers.

"Improvements will not only ease congestion, but provide people with safe alternatives to travel around our city. It is vital that we provide for the increasing number of people who are opting to cycle, walk or use public transport.

"Roadside amenity is as important today as providing uncongested corridors. It is no longer appropriate to widen roads without also providing generous footpaths, street tree planting and attractive streetscapes for those who live, work and walk on the roadside," says Councillor Cayford.

The upgrade aims to cut down congestion by providing for traffic growth and bus priority measures, improved landscaping as well as giving better access to properties and improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.

Improvements will include links to the Westlake Busway station, which will be built between Smales Farm Office Technology Park and Westlake Girls' High School in 2007.

Joel Cayford says consultation revealed businesses and schools affected were keen to hear more about the nature and timing of the upgrades because much of their future development hinged on it.

"People who live nearby, particularly those along Wairau Rd, were most concerned that no more of their land would be needed for widening, apart from the 5m building line restriction that already applies.

"The issue of safety also proved to be a most important factor. Large numbers of school students cross the main roads morning and afternoon, and there is much more congestion at those times," he says.

The next stage of the upgrade project is to prepare a range of concept designs that meet both the council's outcomes and address people's concerns. They will be considered by the works and environment committee in June.

It is estimated the Wairau Rd-Taharoto Rd corridor upgrades will cost between $20m and $25m, and will be staged over 10 years.

For more information on the project please visit www.northshorecity.govt.nz.

ENDS

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