1.7km, $7m, 4 options

WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO FIX ISLAND BAY CYCLEWAY

The Island Bay cycleway covers just 1.7 kilometres, but it has soaked up years of arguments, and could end up costing as much as $7 million.

In the latest effort to find a solution to Wellington’s troubled cycleway, four design options were unveiled yesterday for public feedback – and have already divided opinion among residents and businesses.

The proposals include returning The Parade to its original layout with some enhancements, at a cost of $4.1m; keeping the existing layout with some enhancements, for $5.2m; changing to a one-way separated kerbside cycleway above road level, for $6m; or installing a new roadlevel cycleway and reverting to angle parking, for $6.2m.

The Island Bay route is just the first of four planned sections of a cycleway from the south coast to the central city. The original budget for the entire route was $6m, of which more than $1.5m had already been spent on Island Bay, before widespread criticism forced Wellington City Council back to the drawing board.

The latest plans mean the final bill just for the Island Bay section could surpass $7m, with costs still to be refined once detailed designs are completed.

The new designs include the removal of 40 parking spaces in residential areas, and about 17 in the shopping area to address safety problems. There are currently 220 spaces on The Parade, after 34 were removed to build the current cycleway.

Island Bay Residents’ Association president Vicki Greco said she was ‘‘gobsmacked’’ by the costs.

‘‘How can a $1.7m stuff-up cost $7m to repair? Why will we have a Rolls-Royce solution for only a handful of cyclists? It’s ridiculous.’’

Residents were unhappy that there was no option to restore The Parade to how it was before the cycleway first opened, which had been promised. ‘‘That would have been a much cheaper option.’’

The council says the costs reflect community feedback to address safety concerns, environmental considerations, landscaping, and broader urban design along the length of The Parade.

Chief city planner David Chick said safety was a key component of the designs.

‘‘One of the things we heard loud and clear from everyone during the engagement process was safety, and this was taken seriously.

‘‘We have applied current safety standards and, as a result, there is an effective loss of 40 car-parking spaces and then, depending on the option in the business district, there is a further loss of two or 17 to create safer a environment.’’

Hans Renner and Lorraine Edwards, from the Island Bay Business Syndicate, said businesses had already suffered when parks were taken away for the current design.

Removing more parks would have a detrimental impact on businesses already struggling to stay afloat.

Acting Wellington Mayor and southern ward councillor Paul Eagle said he was surprised at the costs.

‘‘All the options are expensive, and I know the parking will come as a surprise to many because concerns had previously been raised by businesses owners and residents about the potential loss of parks ...

‘‘These options are council staff recommendations and have no political endorsement, so that is why it is critical people give us their feedback.’’

Cycling Action Network spokesman Patrick Morgan was surprised at the costs, but believed they reflected the price of resealing the parade, which was overdue.

‘‘Whatever happens, Island Bay will get a much-needed upgrade, and that is something to be celebrated.’’

A two-week consultation on the options begins on Monday.