A WIN-WIN for Wellington
- Graham Bloxham
The cycleways have been accepted in general as warmly as a nasty southerly storm.
The cycle lobby and many in the communities say our cities need to move with the times and it is inevitable that cycleways will become ubiquitous. Cycleways bring with them some big decisions for council and even bigger impacts for some communities. Lost car parks, Cars moved to the middle of the road, Impacted businesses but it also lets families, kids and cycle commuters move about safely.
As the debate rolls on some very serious allegations have surfaced about the cycle lobby and a group of business owners recently won an injunction against Wellington council to stop them continuing with their initial plans outside the hospital in Newtown. That has since been settled and the council moved on at pace. Too fast for some Wellingtonians.
Myles Gazley of Gazley motors was initially surprised council never considered the middle island of Kent and Cambridge terrace for their cycleway designs. And further impacted businesses when he was made aware the proposed cycleway plan took out almost all car parks in Kent terrace and closed off the turning places with some cars needing to go around the Basin reserve further increasing congestion.
Gazley hired experts and developed a plan that in his opinion leaves all car parks available, is less disruptive and appears safer. A win win for the city?. Lets see how the planners react to Gazleys plan. A decision will be made on 15 September before the election.
See video of Gazley and Mayor Foster.
Aspirant Mayors statements:
