South Dunedin Cycle Network Changes Start Soon

Dunedin (Friday, 21 August 2015) – Alterations to some parts of the South Dunedin Cycle Network will start shortly as the Dunedin City Council works to deliver safe, high quality and attractive cycleways in the city.

General Manager Infrastructure and Networks Ruth Stokes says the DCC has listened to public feedback about existing South Dunedin cycleways and in response changes are being made to some intersections.

“We’ve accepted we didn’t get these designs right first time, but we have taken on board what the community has told us and we are making changes.

“As always, the priority will be safety, not just for cyclists, but for pedestrians and motorists too. There will also be a new urban design element to the construction that will enhance every street which has a cycleway.”

The first step is to remove sections of the existing South Dunedin Cycle Network (SDCN) that have given rise to public concern regarding vehicle access. As each section is due to be altered, residents and businesses in and near the affected streets will receive notification from the DCC and its contractor, Downer. The work is scheduled to begin later this month.

This remedial work incorporates the following:

• At the Hargest Crescent/Richardson Street and Richardson Street/Moreau Street intersections the ‘floating’ traffic islands will be removed to improve traffic flow (kerb protrusions will remain).

• The Marlow Street/Royal Crescent intersection will have two way traffic flow reinstated in response to residents’ requests. Two way traffic flow will also be reinstated at the Prince Albert Road/New Street and Churchill Street/Bellona Street intersections.

• Coughtrey Street and Richardson Street – ‘ghost’ road markings will be removed and new road markings laid.

• Signs and road markings will be installed across all the existing SDCN to improve intuitive way-finding for cyclists.

Over the next few months the design of these SDCN sections will be reviewed and improved with a focus on safety and ease of use for all road users. Residents will be asked for feedback before the designs are confirmed.

Designs to improve the Portobello Road cycleway between Timaru Street and Portsmouth Drive have been prepared in consultation with the community, aiming for a highly practical road and cycleway layout, improved road markings and signs, complemented by a vastly improved general environment providing a family-friendly atmosphere. The design will take residents’ and business access needs into account.

The Princes Street cycleway past the Oval, on to Gordon Street and Vogel Street, is planned for completion in October 2015. This will include signs and markings on Princes Street and changing give way priorities to Vogel Street at two intersections.

Ongoing Tedder Street construction is due to be finished by the end of 2015, using speed bumps to slow traffic.

Mrs Stokes says the vision for Dunedin’s first urban cycleway is to have high quality, attractive routes which cater for people travelling to work and school by bike, and leisure cyclists, while reducing accident rates for all road users.

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