‘This is it; last chance to speak on cycleway’

The future of the Island Bay cycleway is in the hands of Wellington residents, who have one last chance to be heard.

After three years of heated debate over a decision that best suits the majority, the final four options for the proposed cycleway will be presented at a public meeting on Monday, July 31.

This session at the coastal suburb’s Baptist Church will kick off a two-week public submission process, during which any Wellingtonian who wants to vote on the cycleway’s future will be able to do so.

Acting Wellington Mayor and Southern ward councillor Paul Eagle said there had been some confusion of late about when people could vote on the future options.

‘‘They have one last chance. This is it,’’ he said.

‘‘We [council] got it wrong and this time we want to get it right and do right by the majority of locals.’’

Wellington City Council revealed in May that six options were under consideration for the cycling route along The Parade.

The project was completed in early 2016 but it was found to not be to everyone’s liking.

The six options now before the public include returning to the route;’s original layout, keeping the status quo, or making improvements to the existing cycleway and The Parade.

The final four choices will revealed at Monday’s meeting.

Island Bay Residents’ Association president Vicki Greco said it was vital that the community had a say on the cycleway, whatever their opinion might be.

Those who attended the meeting would be able to make a submission at that venue, with all feedback stored in a locked box until being delivered to the council.

Additional submission forms and locked boxes will be installed at public spaces across the suburb from July 31. Submissions can also be made online.

A pop-up shop will be open on The Parade to display all of the cycleway information.

The submission process ends on August 15. A final decision is to be made by the council’s city strategy committee on September 14. be