The Press today has revealed that future cycleway funding has been removed from a draft of the Long Term Plan – the Council’s 10-year budget. Projects proposed to be axed include the already-consulted and approved Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū cycleway along Harewood Road, as well as tens of millions of dollars of ‘local connections’ projects to better connect communities with already build cycleways.
I understand there is support from some Councillors for the view that we should delay or dabble with the detailed design of our in-progress cycleways – that’s democracy in action. The possibility that the entire cycleway programme will be abandoned, however, seems to have come out of nowhere. What Councillor campaigned on this platform at last year’s election? None that I’m aware of.
I’m aghast at the prospect the Council could hit the eject button on a programme that improves safety for some of our most vulnerable road users, has health & environmental benefits, and is so heavily subsidised by central Government. It will be interesting to see how the numbers stack up – the cycleway programme’s impact on rates isn’t as substantial as readers might be led to believe by the headline numbers.
You can read the full story on The Press online – note that a subscription is required.
Readers who are concerned about this news should be sure to review and make a submission on the draft Long Term Plan when it is released for public consultation in early 2024. If you want to take action in the meantime perhaps contact your local Councillor and share your view.
Simon Britten 