New highway, no cycling lane
The new Manawatu¯ -Hawke’s Bay highway to replace the Manawatu¯ Gorge route is all about cars and trucks, with cyclists and pedestrians left out of the preliminary plans.
New Zealand Transport Agency project manager Lonnie Dalzell says designs were only indicative at this stage, as part of the process to secure designations over the roading corridor.
Walking and cycling facilities could be considered as designs were further developed.
But Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said active transport should be an integral part of the project from the start, and the agency should make a commitment to it.
Documents lodged seeking designations over the route revealed no separated pathway, no cycle lanes, and no clip-on lanes at the existing bridge over the Manawatu¯ River at Ashhurst, which will regain its state highway function.
Smith said the city council would fight hard to ensure the agency did better.
He said cycling and walking facilities should not be an add-on to the design, or built later.
Given the Government’s policy on active transport, he doubted the agency would even get consent without them.
‘‘We still haven’t got this right. And I believe they are doing this for economic reasons. They are not spending enough in the right areas.’’
Dalzell said walking and cycling facilities along the new route would be considered as part of the future design process, and the agency was investigating how such facilities could be incorporated on the State Highway 3 Ashhurst Bridge.
Anthony Behrens, a keen walker and cyclist, was critical of the plans so far.
He said he thought it was a legal requirement for new roading projects to accommodate people on foot or on bikes.
‘‘It’s disappointing to think that they would spend all that money [an estimated $560 million] and not have active transport plans. I think that’s negligent.’’
He said attracting more people walking and cycling to Te A¯ piti and across the new route to Woodville could create an amazing tourist destination.
Miriam Sharland, from the Manawatu¯ forum for better biking, said she was surprised and disappointed as well.
After a recent People on Bikes forum she had assumed the city council’s call for cycling and walking facilities had been adopted.
Fellow cyclist Matthew Mckenzie said it would be a missed opportunity not to join up off-road cycle tracks from Palmerston North along and across the river and into the gorge.
‘‘Separated walking or cycling facilities are not specifically provided for by the project, although it is proposed that the shoulder width will be sufficient to accommodate cyclists.’’
Woodville resident Alan Brabender said the new road would make a beautiful and scenic tourist route.
Although it included viewing platforms and scenic stops, Brabender was disappointed the plans didn’t take cyclists into consideration. Adding a cycle track, and maybe a walkway, would make the road more of a drawcard for tourists. Horizons Regional Council passenger transport committee chairwoman and cyclist Rachel Keedwell said it was outdated thinking to be planning a roading project without walking and cycling as a priority from the start.