Waka Kotahi is reconsidering trial access for walking & cycling across Auckland's Harbour Bridge at its Thursday 18 August Board meeting (see attached letter). Getacross is calling for the eastern-most lane to be trialled as it's forecast to have minimal/no effect on traffic and provides the best access for walking & cycling.

Waka Kotahi’s revisit of the trial is in response to our letter in which we outline the reasons for a judicial review of Waka Kotahi’s previous decision to not do a trial as requested by Minister Wood.

Key points:
 

• The Minister requested a trial to see if the bridge functions when space is made available for active transport. Instead Waka Kotahi is proceeding with ticketed Sunday morning events. The Minister's trial would be carried out over a number of days to see if it would reduce traffic, emissions, air pollution, parking demand, improve transport choice & equity, etc.
• Waka Kotahi's response of ticketed Sunday morning events are little more than an expensive PR exercise
• Waka Kotahi staff have provided flawed/misinterpreted advice to their board - see our lawyer’s letter to Waka Kotahi dated 1 July 2022
• The requirement for Waka Kotahi to reduce emissions and VKT (by 20%) means less traffic lanes are required (and more walking & cycling facilities are needed)
• Some people fear armageddon but the beauty of the trial is that… 1) it’s highly possible it will work brilliantly, and 2) it’s (only) a trial.

GetAcross’s Christine Rose says "We are hopeful Waka Kotahi will agree to the Minister’s request for a trial and have offered our assistance. Should Waka Kotahi not agree to the Minister’s request for a trial then we will lodge our application for a judicial review.”

https://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/2208/WGNDOC014967424v1Letter__AHB.pdf

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