Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Victoria Street cycle lane opens today

Victoria Street cycle lane opens today

Victoria Street’s transformation has delivered another section of Wellington’s planned $90 million cycle network.

The transformation project includes better public infrastructure for an initial 2500 apartments, 600 of which have already been approved, and the planned new WelTec Whitireia downtown campus – and another section of Wellington City Council’s recently approved Cycling Framework.

The new cycle lane – which includes a short kerbside section – begins in Dixon Street and connects with the shared cycle and walking path in Karo Drive and through Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown says the Council is committed to improving cycling infrastructure.

“Modern progressive cities around the world make it easier and safer to cycle. The new Victoria Street section of Wellington’s cycling network demonstrates our commitment to the 76 percent of residents who say they would cycle more if they felt it were safer to do so.”

The cycle lane will be monitored to see how well it works and the Mayor says improvements will be made if they are needed.

She says the new cycle traffic lights, which allow cyclists to start ahead of traffic at Abel Smith Street, are a welcome addition.

The Council will monitor the cycle lane and work with the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Memorial Park Alliance, which built the transformed area, to ensure the safety of people on foot, on bikes, on buses and in cars.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

To reduce potential road-user conflicts, signs and pavement markings have been introduced to help people adjust to the new street layout.
Cycle Aware Wellington Chair James Burgess says Victoria Street is a busy road, and cycle lanes – especially the protected part – should make it safer and more comfortable to ride along.

“We’re interested to see the outcome of the bus stop design trial, and whether it works as well for pedestrians, bus passengers and cyclists as other design options available.”

Councillor Andy Foster, Chair of Council’s Transport and Urban Development Committee, says the Cycling Framework provides clarity in our delivery of a cycling network for the city which focuses on giving residents more choice of how to get around the city.
“As we build the city’s new cycling network, we will be focused on road-user safety. Seeing how this short stretch works will help us in ongoing, safe implementation.

“The bus stop design on the section of kerbside lane between Vivian and Abel Smith streets is different to the proposed design of bus stop bypasses in the Island Bay cycleway.

“I’ve been using the new cycle lane almost daily, I think we can learn from it and continually improve as we roll out the cycling network. I will be very interested in the outcome of our monitoring activities but I think it is great that the Victoria Street re-development does recognise Councillors strong desire to provide for the continually increasing number of cyclists on our streets.”

The Victoria Street cycle facilities are already in use apart from the kerbside section between Vivian and Abel Smith streets which is expected to be open from 3pm today. The final work and opening of this section was delayed due to earthquake-strengthening on an adjacent building. This building upgrade work is continuing and is likely to involve further off-peak lane closures.
The Victoria Street project – including the new southbound cycle lane, paved park areas and wider, tree-lined footpaths – will be blessed and officially opened this Friday 7 August at 12.15pm in the new Te Niho Park at the intersection of Vivian and Victoria streets.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.