Nelson Street cycleway a bright moment for Auckland
Youth organisation, Generation Zero, applauds the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and Auckland Transport (AT) for fast tracking the Nelson Street cycleway, as proposed by Cycle Action Auckland (CAA).
Generation Zero spokesperson Dr Sudhvir Singh, explains “it’s fantastic that the transport agencies have agreed to fast track this ‘quick win’ project which will connect two busy areas of the inner city via an old motorway lane.”
In a feature story on Prime News, representatives from NZTA and AT announced they would aim to have the cycleway completed by the end of 2014. Dr Singh; “this project will inspire urban regeneration similar to New York’s famous ‘High Line’ and is exactly the kind of transport choice that Aucklanders are demanding.”
At the southern end, the cycleway will link to Karangahape Road and comes on the back of Generation Zero’s campaign for separated cycleways on Karangahape Road, which has received support from over 2500 residents and over 100 local businesses. Today’s announcement comes following AT’s successful completion of a ‘quick fix’ bus lane on Fanshawe Street, as proposed by Generation Zero and partner groups. Dr Singh; “our transport agencies need to be congratulated for recognising some of the cheap and straightforward options for providing transport choices in Auckland.”
In the long term, the group is also calling for a greater proportion of transport investment to go towards separated cycleways. Dr Singh explains; “We would like to see Auckland Council invest 5% of the transport budget in cycling. This would be a significant increase from the current budget which is less than 1% in the Long Term Plan, which is up for renewal at the end of the year.”
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