25 September 2020
Mr Rick Stone
By email: [FYI request #13614 email]
Dear Rick
INFORMATION REQUEST – Totara Street safety upgrades public engagement
We write in response to your email dated 29 August 2020 in which you requested the following
information:
A copy of all internal or external reports obtained by TCC , used to make design and
build decisions for the proposed bike lane solution along Totara Street (from
Hewlett’s road intersection to Rata Street intersection)
Tauranga City Council Project known as : “Totara Street safety upgrade”
Reports may include:
·
Any independent safety audits
·
Any Risk / Audit reports detailing heavy traffic movements ( West verses East
Side ) cross drive ways and intersections
·
Any independent reports detaining requirements or recommended supporting
road changes to make safe . I,e
o
Requirements for supporting signalised crossings and or Street
intersection infrastructure
o
Safety audit guideline requirements for shared solution two-way
pedestrian and cycling path / lane ( First section)
o
§ i.e May include: Safe shared path ‘speed limit’ restriction set for
cyclists on 45kmh ebikes , road recreational cyclists at 25 to 35+kmh,
30kmh eScooters
We have considered your request in accordance with the Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act 1987 (“
LGOIMA”) and respond as follows:
We acknowledge the desire for people to bike on the Port side of Totara Street rather than
on the eastern alignment. One of the key considerations is the fact that KiwiRail do not
permit crossings at the turn out (where two sets of rails separate). This is true of the crossing
north of Waimarie. This means, that even if driveway conflicts could be mitigated, crossing
over the eastern alignment would be required prior to the crossing.
Tauranga City Council Private Bag 12022, Tauranga 3143, New Zealand +64 7 577 7000 [Tauranga City Council request email] www.tauranga.govt.nz
Please find the following attachments included with this response in answer to your request:
·
Attachment 1: Totara St Crossings LCSIA Report .pdf. It should be noted that
the initial proposal was to provide facilities on the Port side of Totara Street in
2017 and plans were developed. You will note in the attachment that KiwiRail
outlined that any separate cycleway level crossing lanes are not permitted
through the body of a turnout (where two sets of rails separate). It must be
located on plain line track. This location is relevant to the Port side of the railway
crossing north of Waimarie Intersection
·
Attachment 2: Totara dd safety audit SAT Sept 2017
·
Attachment 3: Totara Street Design Review September 18
·
Attachment 4: Totara safety audit SAT FINAL MAY 2020
·
Attachment 5:
Abley Totara Street VRU Risk Assessment 20200626
· Please see the following links for safety audit guideline requirements:
o
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/cycling/cycling-
standards-and-guidance/cycling-network-guidance/designing-a-cycle-
facility/between-intersections/shared-paths/
o
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/pub-resources/high-use-driveway-treatment-
for-cycle-paths-and-shared-paths-design-guidance-note/High-use-driveway-
treatment-for-cycle-paths-and-shared-paths-design-guidance.pdf
· Waka Kotahi NZTA set rules and standards for use across New Zealand. No
regulations currently exist that restrict speed limit of the devices you have
mentioned i.e. cyclists on 45km ebikes, road recreational cyclists at 25 to 35+km,
and 30km eScooters.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
or freephone 0800 802 602.
We may publish this response on our website as your request may be of interest to others.
All personal information will be removed and only the question and answers will be seen.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact the writer.
Yours sincerely
Coral Hair
Manager
Democracy Services
7 - Response - Stone, Rick - LGOIMA - Totara Street safety upgrade (A11800209)
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