Wellington to Hut Valley Cycle Connection
2 March 2022
Discussion topics
Time
Item
Feedback from Cyclists – email from David Trip
Waka Kotahi response / discussion points
(18/02/2022)
11.30am
Welcome, karakia
Adrienne to lead
and previous
actions
Out of Scope
Out of Scope
12.10pm
Te Ara Tupua
Korokoro Stream Bridge – we continue to see this bridge as a
Adrienne to provide an update on paper Joel took to
Ngā Uranga ki Pito-
“weak link” that will remain at the Petone end of Te Ara Tupua. It
steering group on this matter.
One
is a narrow pinch point, with a rough surface, and the existing
bollards create a safety risk. This bridge should we widened to
match the Te Ara Tupua path width and have no bollards. Waka
Kotahi has said “it’s good enough”. Our difficulty is we don’t
understand why – you are building paths on either side with a
much higher level of service. We think this compromises the route
as a whole and would like to understand why you think differently.
WAKA KOTAHI NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 2
12.20pm
Te Ara Tupua
Underpass south of Petone Station.
Gray to provide an update on this rationale
Pito-One to Melling
Signage will direct walkers to use the existing
You have completed a safety audit given the conflict inherent in
underpass but we can’t stop them from using it.
this design. Such an audit is very limited – it does not consider
alternates, nor the impact of “safety improvements” on the overall
objective of the project.
The alternative of making the underpass cyclist only was therefore
not considered. We think this alternative is better – that is making
the underpass cyclist only and the nearby existing underpass at
Petone Station pedestrian only – cyclists and pedestrians both
have a strong preference for separation. There is also precedent
in this vicinity of other pedestrian excluded routes (eg McKenzie
Ave bridge, and the cycle path north of the station).
Could you please explain your rationale for maintaining this as a
shared route compared to our suggestion.
Path through the Petone Station car park. We have now
reviewed the safety audit. Our frustration is that a safety audit
does not consider the objectives of the whole corridor – so, even
thought the proposed safety improvements (effectively a “slow
zone”) compromise the efficacy of the whole corridor, other
Adrienne to talk to this.
alternatives remain unconsidered. We accept alternatives would
require agreement from GWRC – but they should therefore be in
Need to close this out. This is not changing so need
the room. As an analogy, safety at the Melling intersection could
to accept and focus efforts elswhere.
be significantly improved by making it a “slow zone” (say of 50
kmph). But this would compromise the whole corridor for cars
and so a very expensive, multiagency alternative is being
proposed. Why can’t this thinking also apply to people who cycle?
Dowse Interchange:
WAKA KOTAHI NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 3
Dowse is a key potential connection point for the Te Ara Tupua
path. Dowse is therefore one of the critical success factors (a
significant lever) to make Te Ara Tupua even more successful.
12.30pm
Dowse is the closest connection for Alicetown (pop 3,000),
Woburn (pop 1,800), and Waterloo (pop 5,400 – at least until
Riverlink is completed). It could also be a preferred route for
people in north and east Petone, and potentially Moera. That’s
15,000+ people who could make good use of this connection onto
Te Ara Tupua, via Wakefield St and the Ava rail bridge, if a safe and
convenient connection existed. These suburbs are well within the
“easy-orbit” for e-bikers into Wellington.
The current plan of negotiating two multi-lane round abouts and
motorway on and off ramps is better than nothing - but only
just!! It is profoundly off-putting for all but confident road
riders.
So we would like to see Scales Lane progressed.
We accept it’s a multiagency issue. Kiwirail is concerned about
safety – but does not consider the higher risks for cyclists on
alternate routes compared to a well constructed rail-crossing. HCC
and Waka Kotahi will of course want the other to foot the bill.
The Wakefield St/Hutt Rd intersection would need work – either
with a cycle refuge in the middle, a pedestrian/cycle crossing,
signals, etc.
But ….. this is a substantial opportunity to improve returns on your
Simon – Can this please be added to LCLR
huge investment in Te Ara Tupua at a very small marginal
programme?
cost. We need something more than “it’s hard but we’ll talk about Need to reinforce that until there is budget to do
it”. How do we together get the right thing to happen?
anything here, there is no resource to do anything.
WAKA KOTAHI NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 4
Bob – are you able to speak about active modes
through Hutt City?
In additional to the key cycle corridors we are
developing, such as Eastern Bays, Beltway, River
Trail and Te Ara Tupua, we are also working on the
key connections from our suburban centres, schools,
and hospitals.
The investigation works have already started
including
• Waterloo Station to CBD W&C connection;
• CBD urbanisation or optimisation;
• Stokes Valley to River Trail;
• Petone suburban centre and school
connections;
• The Esplanade optimisation linking Eastern
Bays and Te Ara Tupua;
We are also working on city wide speed review
program with the intension of providing a safer and
enjoyable environment for our active users.
Out of Scope
WAKA KOTAHI NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 5
Out of Scope
12.55
Wrap up and run
Adrienne to lead
through actions and
karakia
WAKA KOTAHI NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY
DOCUMENT TITLE // 6
