Feedback supports advocating for fast-tracking O2NL
The second round of engagement on the Horowhenua Integrated Transport Strategy (HITS) is complete. It focused on the vision, principles and proposed initiatives required to improve transport in Horowhenua.
The strategy will guide the planning, investment and delivery of transport-related infrastructure in Horowhenua for the next 30 years. A governance group that includes the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Council representatives is overseeing the development of the strategy.
Principal Policy Advisor Cynthia Ward said just over 250 people took part in a survey and several interested groups received briefings on HITS as part of the engagement process.
The draft vision and principles of HITS aim to provide Horowhenua with a safe, functional, innovative, integrated, multimodal and sustainable transport system that supports a thriving, healthy and growing community and enhances the visitor experience.
Mrs Ward said feedback on the vision and principles was generally supportive. Some respondents suggested additions to consider, such as affordability, environmental benefits, improved connectivity between existing settlements, improving efficiency, enhancing economic growth and the national objectives of SH1.
The proposed initiatives (listed below) attracted a lot of thoughts and comments that Council staff are considering. The following is a summary of the percentage of respondents who supported the most popular initiatives:
Improving access:
• Advocating for O2NL being brought
forward – 87%
• Advocating for more public
transport and facilities – 65%
• Invest in
road safety improvements – 56%
• Safe access
and connectivity to new growth areas – 55%
Road and rail safety:
•
Advocate for safety improvements to the state highway
network – 71%
• Advocate for Levin Railway
Station upgrade – 70%
• Advocate for timely
implementation of road and rail safety solutions –
61%
• Invest in shared pathways and investigate
cycling safety issues – 57%
Public
transport/modal choices:
• Advocate
for more and improved services to meet specific needs –
71%
• Advocate for enhanced public transport
facilities, parking areas and more rail stops – 70%
•
Advocate for the refurbishment of the Levin Train Station
– 62%
Active mode travel:
•
Promote shared pathway connections when consenting new
developments – 68%
• Work with communities to
design future trails – 68%
• Partner with
others and encourage active journeys – 59%
•
Investigate intersection safety and provide end-of-trip
facilities – 57%
Resilience:
• Advocate for
the designation and building of O2NL earlier than planned
– 79%
• Advocate for investment to improve
resilience of the state highway network – 67%
•
In planning and designing new growth areas, consider roading
opportunities to build resilience – 58%
•
Investigate and research opportunities to provide
alternative local road routes and improve safety at high
crash points – 56%
Freight and
logistics:
• Advocate for the early
designation and building of O2NL – 87%
•
Advocate for significant transport investment to realise an
integrated and multimodal transport system in the district
– 69%
Safety improvements on state highway
network:
• Advocate for positive
transport outcomes earlier than planned (89%), such as:
o
Revocation of SH1 / understanding of what that means for our
communities
o Make SH1 safer for pedestrians, i.e.
refuge crossings and traffic calming measures
o A safer
alternative to angle carparks in Levin
o Entry and exit
points for Levin so it is easily accessible from the
expressway
• Advocate for safety improvements
to SH1 turn-offs to access roads to our coastal communities
– 69%
• Advocate to NZTA for safety
improvements to make communities divided by SH1 safer for
residents – 65%
Earlier this year, more than 500 people took part in the initial HITS engagement process that focused on individual transport needs. The feedback from that process helped in the creation of the draft vision, principles and initiatives. Feedback from the second round of engagement will be used to finalise the draft HITS.
Mrs Ward said the draft strategy would go to Council for
adoption, along with a suite of Transport Action Plans for
projects aimed at realising the vision.
The Transport
Action Plans will be developed with Council’s partners,
and costed. Some projects will require external funding and
they will be referred to the appropriate funding bodies,
i.e. NZTA or Horizons Regional Council, to be prioritised.
The projects that will require Horowhenua District Council
ratepayer funding will be incorporated into the 2021-2041
Long Term Plan process.
The survey results can be viewed at www.horowhenua.govt.nz/HITS