16 May 2016

There’s still time to comment on safer cycling connections in the eastern suburbs

Wellingtonians still have time to give their feedback on Wellington City Council’s suggestions for safer cycling connections in the eastern suburbs. Feedback closes at 5pm next Monday 23 May.

Cycling forms a crucial part of Wellington’s transport system, as well as helping to make the Capital a more sustainable and attractive place to live.

The Council is working towards a future cycling network, which will give people more choice in how they get to work and travel within their communities. This will also enable school students to make more trips by bike.

The current planning stage is to confirm priority areas and routes in the eastern suburbs.

People can go online at cycleways.wellington.govt.nz to comment on suggested safe-cycling areas (or corridors) and possible cycle routes. They can also opt to make an oral submission to the Council’s Transport and Urban Development Committee before decisions are made.

A Council-community working group has narrowed down the options to two possible corridors (Kilbirnie to Miramar and Kilbirnie to Seatoun) and potential routes within these corridors.

Possible routes in the Kilbirnie to Miramar corridor:

- Cobham option – along Rongotai Road and across Cobham Drive

- Hobart option – along Rongotai Road, Coutts Street, under the airport via the subway and along Hobart Street.

Possible routes in the Kilbirnie to Seatoun corridor:

- Broadway option – along Rongotai Road, Coutts Street, under the airport via the subway, along Broadway and Dundas Street

- Strathavon option – along Rongotai Road, Coutts Street, under the airport via the subway, along quiet streets to Strathmore Park, then along Broadway and Ludlam Street.

Now it’s the public’s turn to have a say on whether these are the best or most-preferred options – or suggest alternatives.

Recommendations will go back to the working group and then to the Transport and Urban Development Committee on 30 June.

Depending on what happens at that committee meeting, the public will have another chance to have their say in October/November on the details of preferred routes – how roads and footpaths should be laid out and treated to make cycling a more attractive transport choice for more people. The plan is to have the work finished by mid-2018.

This consultation is part of Wellington City Council’s planned $34.7 million investment in cycling over three years (2015–2018) towards a safe cycle network, to help reduce traffic congestion and emissions, and encourage people of all ages and abilities to ride a bike.

ENDS

© Scoop Media