NEWS RELEASE
from Hutt City Council
21 April 2005

WALKING AND CYCLING IN HUTT CITY

Hutt City Council is seeking to improve the options for local residents to walk and cycle within the City.

The initiative is part of a national strategy, supported by the Government, which promotes the vision: 'A New Zealand where people from all sectors of the community walk and cycle for transport and enjoyment.'

Council has successfully applied to Land Transport NZ to meet most of the cost of the planning.

"Hutt City has a Cycling Strategy that was originally developed in 1991 and updated in 1998, but the Walking strategy will be a first for the City," said Rebecca Loader, Hutt City Transportation Engineer.

"Some needs and solutions are shared by cyclists and pedestrians but they also have some unique requirements. Council wants to make sure that both groups are well catered for through the planning process and relevant actions are identified.

"At the same time we need a cost effective process and so developing the plans in tandem is seen as a sensible approach."

Council will complete an initial community consultation in May with a mixture of community workshops for interested residents, as well as separate workshops with cycling and walking groups and organisations.

Some meetings with interest groups and agencies such as Hutt Health and neighbouring Councils are planned. Community involvement will continue with input through project working parties helping to identify the goals and actions needed to advance cycling and walking in Hutt City.

An important part of the consultation and planning will be identifying how facilities such as off road pathways for cyclists and walkers in the City can be improved and to make sure they link with the major destinations in the City that residents want to get to now and in the future.

The strategies will look at both the needs of commuting and recreational cyclists and walkers.

Council has contracted Global Leisure Group to undertake the consultation and develop the draft strategies. The intention is to have the strategies completed by the end of June, which will include an opportunity for public submissions on the draft.

A survey to assist with the development of the strategies is available online from either www.huttcity.info/cycling or www.nzrecreation.info

Alternatively complete a hard copy at any of our libraries.

Dates and Venues for Public meetings are

Monday 2 May 7-9pm

Wainuiomata Service Centre & Library

Queen Street, Wainuiomata

Tuesday 3 May 7-9pm

Petone Service Centre & Library

11 Britannia Street, Petone

Wednesday 4 May 7-9pm

Naenae College Hall

RSVP by 29 April 2005 or for more information please contact Ieshea McDonald at Hutt City Council on 570 6666.

ENDS

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