Shared Walkway/Cycleway Option for Victoria Road

Dunedin (Monday, 19 May 2014) – The option of providing a shared walking and cycle path from Queens Drive to the St Clair Esplanade is being discussed with residents and business owners along Victoria Road.

Dunedin City Council Senior Transportation Planner Lisa Clifford says, “A shared path along Victoria Road would provide excellent access to a key destination and complete the South Dunedin Cycle Network.”

The DCC is consulting with affected parties – those that live or operate a business along the proposed cycle route – and other key organisations, such as the Otago Regional Council, AA and cycle advocacy group Spokes.

The cycle route proposed is different from the original route planned for this part of the network.

The intention had been to take the cycle route along the existing gravel footpath at the top of the sand dunes between St Clair and St Kilda beaches. This route is not viable, mainly because a cycleway would affect the structural integrity of the dunes and it would be difficult to keep the path clear of sand.

Ms Clifford says there are two alternatives – provide a shared walkway/cycleway along Victoria Road to the Esplanade, or do nothing and end the cycle network at Kennedy Street.

Under the Victoria Road option, 38 parking spaces would be removed from the north side of Victoria Road as the road is not wide enough to have parking on both sides plus a shared path.

Angle parking would be introduced in Bedford Street to provide nine extra car parks, reducing the overall loss of parking to 29 spaces. This option would also include speed platforms and road narrowing at various points to slow down traffic and make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

If the cycle network ended at Kennedy Street, on-street parking would remain, but the key destination of the St Clair Esplanade would not be connected to the rest of the cycle network.

It would also mean cyclists wanting to get to the Esplanade/St Clair area would either use the footpath illegally or continue to use the narrow carriageway, potentially creating a safety risk.

Affected parties have been invited to a drop-in session at the St Clair Scout Hall on Victoria Road, on Thursday, 22 May from 3pm to 6pm. People will be able to discuss the proposed design with DCC staff and the design consultant. Consultation closes on Friday, 30 May. Other members of the public can also have their say by this date by contacting the DCC on 477 4000 or emailing transportation@dcc.govt.nz.

Consultation results will be reported to the Council at its 23 June meeting, where the Council will make the final decision about this last part of the network.

For more details on the South Dunedin Cycle Network visit www.dunedin.govt.nz/sdcyclenetwork.

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