We have received $17m in funding from Waka Kotahi NZTA to help make walking and cycling around our city easier and safer.
We’re proposing three projects which focus on improving the safety of cyclists and walkers along some our busiest streets. In most cases, the upgrades are extensions of existing cycle lanes and pedestrian facilities.
Waka Kotahi NZTA’s Transport Choices programme is a national programme funded by the Climate Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) that was formed out of the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan. Funding supports projects that reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and cars by increasing the role of walking, cycling and public transport.
Central Government funding has provided us with an opportunity to provide greater transportation choices to support our growing city making it safer and easier for people to choose walking and cycling.
A dedicated lane with a concrete barrier (around 100mm high) that separates cyclists from traffic, enhancing their safety.
They are crossings that provide a much safer crossing space for people walking, cycling and using mobility devices. They are designed to slow approaching vehicles to achieve a 30km/h so that drivers have time to react and avoid incidents.
This is where a bus stops within a traffic lane, rather than pulling over into a bay and then rejoining traffic. They increase safety for both cyclists and drivers. While these would be new to New Plymouth, they are common in many of the larger centres across New Zealand.
There will be losses to some on-street car parking and parking habits in these areas will need to change (refer graphic). To better understand this, a parking assessment has determined the demand for car parks for each project. Where possible, high and medium use car park spaces have been prioritized and retained with parking measures (such as parking restrictions). We are contacting all affected residents and businesses along the routes to discuss possible options.
The proposed projects would be 100% funded* by the central Government from the Climate Emergency Response Fund, managed by Waka Kotahi - NZ Transport Agency. Your feedback will help inform the final decision by our Mayor, Councillors, and funders on which projects will be delivered. NPDC would deliver as much infrastructure as possible within the allocated timeframe and funding.
*Please note: Some previously planned upgrades, funded separately, would be delivered alongside this project to reduce traffic disruption.
This Government funding is specifically allocated to transport projects that help to reduce emissions.
Yes. The openings in the separators at driveways will be quite long, giving drivers a space to pull into when emergency vehicles pass. There will also be extended gaps between parked cars either side of driveways that people can pull into.
Email us at traffic@npdc.govt.nz and let us know where else you would like to see safer and more connected walking and cycling.
All projects will require a Council decision from Mayor and Councillors, and also be signed off by Waka Kotahi NZTA.
We have learnt from these experiences to ensure our designs are appropriate for New Plymouth and in line with current best-practice. Here is a link to several successful walking and cycling projects around the country.
The initial round of funding was prioritised by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency for areas with larger populations.
We want more people to choose walking and cycling in place of small car trips. We have monitoring and evaluation studies in place to measure the success of these projects should they go ahead.
We are monitoring actual numbers of people who walk, ride and drive to determine what changes over time. We have gathered current data along the proposed roads, and we will gather data post-construction, should these projects go ahead. We can use this data to calculate changes in emissions and other community benefits.
The construction for this project will be delivered through the New Plymouth District Council Infrastructure Partnership with Downer, working alongside a number of smaller construction firms to deliver these projects.
We have been talking with a number of key stakeholders including schools, cycling, accessibility groups and health organisations about the proposed upgrades. The feedback that we have received from these groups has been very positive.
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Page last updated: 11:48PM Thu 24 August 2023