Fix the gap between Petone and Wellington City

Cyclists and walkers are calling for the gap between two major New Zealand communities, Petone and Wellington, to be fixed up.

A workshop will be held on Sunday 12th October 2pm at Loaves & Fishes, cnr Hill and Molesworth Streets bringing together community and sustainable transport groups of the region.

Paul Bruce, Greater Wellington Regional Councillor, said that Portland, Seattle and Melbourne had fantastic cycle ways connecting main centres. Why should we not have one? Mr Bruce said that a Great Harbour Way proposed by cycling and walking advocates, had the potential to talk 1000's of cars off the roads, and at the same time provide a path to be treasured hugging the shore along the coastline, with views across the harbour of sea life such as dolphins, shags and little blue penguins.

Mr Bruce, said that overseas experience showed that such a pathway would provide large economic benefits to the region providing a sought after tourist experience, as well giving fast and easy access to cycle commuters and runners, reducing car congestion, car accidents, exhaust emissions and greenhouse gases, and the need for parks in the city. NZ Transport Agency must put the building of a new dedicated cycle and walking path ahead of new roads, and eliminate the need for cyclists to mix it with speeding cars and heavy trucks.

Celia Wade-Brown, president of the walking advocacy group, Living Streets Aotearoa, says "In the updated NZ Transport Strategy - the mode share of walking and cycling should grow to 30% by 2040. .. The new Transport agency and local Councils should be busy creating this missing link - not spending years on analysis! This is about walking and running as well as cycling - families taking a picnic or a fishing rod at the weekend, commuting runners and cyclists in the week and tourists at any time! " Geoff Henry, President Athletics Wellington says " A safe coastal running track offers marvellous opportunities for our Road Runners: and since were looking for a feature event for the Centre, we have even more reason to support the Great Harbour Way."

Alastair Smith, from Cycle Aware Wellington says that a cycle path was first proposed a hundred years ago in Parliament. "Local and national transport agencies and Councils must commit now to a 3.5m wide track on the seaward side of the railway line, from Petone foreshore to Ngauranga and on to Kaiwharawhara estuary and past the ferry terminal."

--

Great Harbour Way WORKSHOP
DATE: Sunday 12th October 2008
TIME: 2 to 4 p.m.

VENUE: Loaves & Fishes Hall, corner of Hill St / Molesworth St

Join us in a workshop on The Great Harbour Way vision, an attractive seaside walking, running and cycling route for commuting, recreation and tourism around the edge of Wellington Harbour, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, from Pencarrow to Red Rocks.

There is an optional walking exploration in the morning - from 11am to 1pm 12 October.

For more information:
Email: info[at]greatharbourway.org.nz Tel 021 036 4443 www.greatharbourway.org.nz

Welcome and Maori context - Liz Mellish, The Wellington Tenths Trust Vision and History - Mary Varnham Nuts and Bolts - what's missing and how to fix it - Alastair Smith Benefits for Cyclists - Patrick Morgan, Cycle Aware Wellington Benefits for People on Foot - Liz Thomas, Living Streets Wellington Connections with Public Transport - Paula Warren, Transport 2000+ Summary of Transport decision processes - Cr Andy Foster, WCC Transport & Urban Development Portfolio Discussion from the floor, chaired by Celia Wade-Brown

The workshop has been organised by members of Living Streets Aotearoa, Cycle Aware Wellington and The Wellington Civic Trust.

At the end of the workshop we will propose a resolution calling on the Wellington Regional Transport Committee to support the Great Harbour Way. That committee meets later in October. We will also be inviting pledges of support from individuals and organisations.

Following the workshop, people may choose to repair to the Backbencher to refuel and discuss further!

For more information see www.greatharbourway.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media