31 October 2005

Study starts on North Wellington transport needs

Residents of Wellington’s northern suburbs are being asked to make suggestions on possible improvements to public transport services in their area as part of the first stage of consultation on the North Wellington Public Transport Study.

Their views will assist with the 12-month study, currently being carried out by Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast welcomes the first consultation phase calling it a positive step for northern suburbs residents. “The northern suburbs are a key growth area for Wellington city. How we tackle public transport issues for this area is important to the future development of the city. I’m looking forward to finding out what residents see as the public transport issues and how we can resolve those.”

Greater Wellington Regional Council Passenger Transport Chair Glen Evans says he is particularly pleased with the high level of co-operation between Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington.

The study area covers Churton Park and Grenada Village to the north, Woodridge and Newlands to the east, Johnsonville in the west and follows the Johnsonville rail line to the CBD as far as Kaiwharawhara, including Ngaio, Khandallah and Crofton Downs. The study area, currently serviced by a mix of rail and bus services, will not include Tawa which is serviced by a different public transport corridor.

The study will develop a strategic framework for future investment into public transport within the northern suburbs and will cover the needs of residents and workers, as well as the constraints and opportunities for improving these services. At the end of the process, the findings will feed into each council’s transportation and urban development strategies for the area, which will identify the preferred strategy for the long-term development of the public transport services in the city’s northern suburbs.

The first stage will look at the issues, problems and public transport needs of the study area. People can have their say by visiting the displays in the Johnsonville Shopping Centre and in all northern suburbs libraries, by logging onto www.gw.govt.nz/northernsuburbs or by calling 385 5794 to request a brochure.

Consultation for the first phase closes on 30 November 2005.

The next two phases will look at reviewing credible options, and recommending a preferred option. These phases will occur in March and June 2006 and the public will again have the opportunity to give feedback.

The North Wellington Public Transport Study is supported by Land Transport New Zealand.

ENDS

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