Rangiora cycleway deferred to avoid blowout
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
A proposed Rangiora cycleway project has been deferred to avoid a forecast $1.7 million budget blowout.
The Waimakariri District Council has decided not to proceed with the proposed on-road cycleway along Ashley, Ivory and Percival streets, and Southbrook Rd, after staff found during the design stage it could not meet the cost of Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s design criteria.
In report presented at Tuesday’s (July 4) council meeting, senior engineering adviser Don Young said the extra safety provisions would require a painted median on a separated cycleway, which had not been allowed for in the original design.
The project was one of four cycleways approved under the government’s Transport Choices funding package.
Young said meeting Waka Kotahi’s design criteria could lead to a budget blowout of up to $1.7 million across the four cycleways.
It was estimated the Rangiora cycleway’s budget would blowout from $745,000 to $1.585m to provide for the extra safety provisions.
"Waka Kotahi has indicated they would rather see us complete three cycleways, than have the entire project fall over," Young said.
"To go ahead would lead to a significant shortfall in funding and the loss of up to 224 car parks.
"We feel it would not be a good step at this stage."
The total budget for all four cycleways had been expected to cost more than $6m, with $4.86m coming from the Transport Choices package and $1m from the Government’s ‘‘Better Off’’ funding.
The council would cover the costs of drainage improvements, additional landscaping and cultural signage.
Waka Kotahi staff had indicated the budget allocated for the Rangiora project could be used to offset the cost over-runs from the other three proposed cycleways, Young said.
Staff were asked to provide a report on options for a revised Rangiora cycleway as part of next year’s 2024-34 long-term plan deliberations.
Young said council staff were due to meet with KiwiRail to discuss issues related to the second proposed Rangiora cycleway at Southbrook.
Pak’nSave management have expressed safety concerns with the proposed route of the Southbrook cycleway, along Railway Rd, due to the number of traffic movements of delivery trucks to the supermarket.
Young said staff planned to meet with Pak’nSave again after the KiwiRail meeting.
The other projects were the Kaiapoi-Woodend and Woodend-Pegasus cycleways.
The four cycleways were chosen following the council’s cycle way network report completed last year.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
-
64.4% Yes
-
33.2% No
-
2.4% Other - I'll share below
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
Cottage, small house wantd to rent
Wanted cottage, small house to rent for step dad, with garage or shed for doing up old car. Quiet and reliable teanant. Fit, no smoking or pets
Loading…
