Cambridge Pathway Extension, Grey Street cul-de-sac.
Submissions on the proposed $10.2 million Cambridge pathway extension into Clare and Grey streets close tomorrow (Friday) and one option is finding favour among residents.
Option B – which advocates removing the shared zone space from Grey Street north and turning it into a cul-de-sac – is understood to have support within the street itself.
But those residents and other interested parties are less convinced about another part of Option B – turning Clare Street between Grey and Bryce streets outside Cambridge Middle School – into a one-way street.
The walking and cycling path extension on Clare and Grey streets will join the existing Hamilton Road pathway that continues down Bryce Street to Duke Street, along Wilson Street to Victoria Bridge.
The project is a partnership with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency through its Climate Emergency Relief Fund’s Transport Choices programme.
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- The shared space which will go under one of the proposals and Grey Street closed off into a cul-de-sac.
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- Some submitters are worried closing off Clare Street to one way traffic only would affect Bryce Street north during school pick up and drop off times.
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- Clare Street would become one way outside Cambridge Middle School under one of the three proposals.
The News attended the consultation meeting held at Waipā District Council’s Cambridge service centre last week where, among others, Olympic cyclist Sarah Ulmer joined fellow Bicycle Revolution lobby group member Aidan Boswell to consider the suggestions.
Olympic gold medallist and Te Awa River Ride trail manager Sarah Ulmer on the Te Awa River Ride track between the Velodrome and Hooker Road. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Bicycle Revolution supports the council’s strategy to set up a cycling network and engaged in a trial Streets for People project aimed at making the streets safer.
But their speed humps and pink and blue dots encouraging drivers to slow down were met with disdain by many residents.
Streets for People involved making temporary changes to several streets in Cambridge. The latest proposals would be permanent.
Ulmer told The News they would consider all three proposals and would make a submission. It could be a hybrid of the three, she said.
Dawn Inglis
Waipā District Council’s service delivery manager Dawn Inglis said community feedback took place earlier this year and more than 160 people provided responses.
Ninety per cent of submitters supported installing safer low speed zones around schools.
Feedback is open for the Cambridge Pathway until 5pm tomorrow.
In the 10-year Long Term Plan, adopted two years ago, council budgeted $10.92 million for the construction of safe pathways and urban mobility network projects across the district.
The council is also building a new pathway in Kihihiki down Rolleston, Whitmore and Oliver streets and making changes to the street layouts to make it safer for children to get to school.
The construction – using $5.64 million from the Climate Emergency Response Fund – is expected to be complete by around July next year and will include:
- Two new roundabouts
- Approximately 2kms of cycle path and footpath
- New parking bays
- Three new cul-de-sacs
- New kerb and channel and stormwater drainage, street lighting and landscaping
- Bus stops
- Raised safety platforms for road crossings, including a signalised pedestrian crossing over Whitmore Street.
