Window of opportunity to consider alternative Wellington cycleways options

Mayoral Candidate Jo Coughlan met with Minister of Transport Simon Bridges yesterday to discuss Wellington cycleways and a range of transport issues.

“Yesterday I asked the Minister if there was a window of opportunity for Wellington to consider alternative cycleway options and consider these along with public feedback, while retaining critical central government funding. The Government has allocated $36.91 million for Wellington and local government a further $15.05 million as part of the Government’s Urban Cycleways Programme in Wellington City and the Hutt Valley.

“A thoroughly considered cycleway solution that will work, be iconic, and that we can be proud of for the next 100 years would be a better outcome for Wellington than pursuing the current piecemeal approach at any cost,” Coughlan said.

“The council’s Island Bay Cycleway has caused a lot of grief,” Coughlan said. “The feedback I am getting is that there are likely to be similar issues with implementing the Eastern Suburbs and Hutt Cycleway. People feel they are not being listened to and these cycleways will be bulldozed through regardless."

Coughlan along with Councillors Woolf and Marsh have met with members of the community and from discussions with a range of people, it appears there are other options that need to be considered.

“The cycleways are being rammed through on an adhoc basis. We are putting on bandaids instead of doing the job properly. Cyclists, road users and communities deserve better. We need a strategic, lasting solution that works for everyone and is an asset to the city.

“I am a huge supporter of sensible cycleways. They are great for health, fitness and the environment. However, given the Island Bay experience we need to do much better with our consultation processes and take the community with us.

“Today I will ask the Wellington City Council CEO in conjunction with NZTA to peer review the cycleways under consideration with a view to finding a better more visionary solution.

“The Minister acknowledged there is a small window of opportunity to do this, while protecting the committed central government investment in Wellington cycleways.

“Other global cities have built cycleways that differentiated their city from others. We have some great natural attributes for off-road cycling which are world-class. We have an opportunity to build an integrated cycleways network that will become an iconic part of the Wellington landscape over the next century.

“This work needs to be done if we are to get the best longterm result for Wellingtonians.
The Minister was encouraging of this approach. This isn’t about ideology or party politics. We need solutions we can all be proud of for the next 100 years.”

This review will not affect the $54 million Hutt Valley cycleway and resilience project between Petone and Ngauranga. This is an excellent infrastructure project that we have worked with Government on and I strongly support.

Ends.

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