Joined: Jan 30, 2006 Posts: 5,979 Location: driven' the Church Bus
Posted: Wed 2nd Jul 9:03am Post subject: Police Death Gives Push To Cycle Path
stuff.co.nz wrote:
KATHERINE NEWTON - The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 02 July 2008
A proposed cycle path linking Wellington and Petone could be fast- tracked to ease safety concerns, just weeks after a top police officer died at Petone while cycling home.
Hutt City Council voted last night to set up a joint working party to address safety issues urgently and to bring forward construction of a cycle path that would link existing paths north of Petone and alongside State Highway 2 from the Horokiwi turnoff.
The decision came after Lower Hutt Mayor David Ogden recommended action in the wake of several incidents involving cyclists, including the death of Superintendent Steve Fitzgerald, who was struck by a truck while cycling on the roundabout near Petone's Esplanade on June 19.
The council now hopes to discuss solutions with Transit New Zealand. The working party would include representatives from Transit, Wellington City Council, and Greater Wellington regional council, as well as Hutt City Council.
Mr Ogden said that Mr Fitzgerald's death was not the only reason he recommended action be taken, but was a contributing factor.
"There has been a lot of correspondence coming through the council as a result of [Mr Fitzgerald's death].
"I don't think we should link this with Mr Fitzgerald . . . but there is enough danger to warrant some sort of work on State Highway 2."
Many cyclists are forced to use the dangerous route because there is no cycle lane between Petone and Horokiwi.
In a memorandum to councillors, Hutt City Council traffic engineer Wayne King said that cyclists biking north to Petone must either travel against the flow of traffic from Horokiwi, or cross State Highway 2 at Horokiwi to get into the northbound lane.
Cycle paths exist immediately north of Petone, and alongside State Highway 2 from the Horokiwi turnoff to Wellington. The planned cycle path would provide a safe link between them, but is expected to cost $1.5 million and does not feature on Transit's 10-year programme.
Transit regional manager Graham Taylor said a working party was already in place that was looking at short-term solutions for cyclists travelling between Petone and Wellington. Some options, including painting the shoulder of the road green, could be put in place before the end of the year.
Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 6,471 Location: churchur
Posted: Wed 2nd Jul 9:14am Post subject:
Mr Ogden said that Mr Fitzgerald's death was not the only reason he recommended action be taken, but was a contributing factor.
I bet that if Mr Fitzgerald had not died there that this cycle way would not have seen action this early... May not be the only reason, but I am sure it will have expedited the whole process, maybe bringing it forward by years!
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