Petition to include fit-for-purpose walking and cycling facilities in the new Mt Victoria tunnel
I've started a petition on Change.Org:
The current Mt Victoria tunnel, 94 years old, is a vital link between Wellington’s eastern suburbs and the city centre and beyond. It caters primarily for motor traffic. The elevated path for pedestrians and cyclists is extremely narrow, congested, noisy and polluted. Despite this, it’s used by about 1000 walkers and cyclists every weekday. They deserve better!
After decades of delay, the Minister of Transport has promised “spades in the ground” before the end of the current parliamentary term, for a new two-lane Mt Victoria tunnel to run parallel with the existing tunnel. However, there has been no mention of whether this new tunnel will include pedestrian and cycling facilities.
There is therefore an urgent and crucial opportunity to ensure that new, high-quality facilities for walkers and cyclists are included in the new tunnel. This could be achieved by placing a wide pedestrian and cycling path under the traffic lanes, as shown in the sketch shown in the petition. Alternatively, the path could be placed alongside the traffic lanes, separated from the traffic by a wall, or even as a completely separate new tunnel. Whatever the configuration, the new walking and cycling facility needs to be at least 5.5 - 6.0 metres wide, divided into separate two-way walking and cycling lanes, and it must be well lit, well ventilated and CCTV monitored.
Progressive cities, including London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, have invested heavily in new cycling facilities and have seen these facilities widely adopted. “Mainstreaming” cycling and walking dovetails with efficient public transport, increases mobility and accessibility for the city’s residents, reduces traffic congestion and contributes to the city’s liveability and climate-change goals. Reduced traffic congestion improves the speed and reliability of public transport and increases the efficiency of goods delivery and business servicing.
Please sign the petition to ensure that the new Mt Victoria tunnel includes the greatly-improved walking and cycling facilities that current Wellingtonians, and generations to come, deserve.
chng.it...
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.9% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.1% Hmm, maybe?
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11% Yes!
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
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