Illogical and old-fashioned thinking about Manawatū Gorge replacement route not on

Monday, 26 November 2018

OPINION: Planning a Manawatū Gorge replacement highway without pedestrian and cycling lanes is old-fashioned and illogical.

New Zealand Transport Agency propaganda tells us it works to 'create transport solutions for all New Zealanders'.

Except that's not strictly true. It doesn't include people who want to travel between Manawatū and Hawke's Bay, nor, seemingly, does it include people who want to get out of their cars.

Next to the excellent Kāpiti Expressway road is an equally excellent pedestrian and cycling track, and cycle lanes are popping up everywhere in the big cities in a move away from the car-centric past that must be applauded.

**READ MORE

* Cyclists and hikers want a safe path through the hills

* New east-west highway ignores cyclists and pedestrians, for now

* Long-term solution to Manawatu Gorge troubles at least six years away, says logistics specialist**

There must never be a repeat of the Auckland Harbour Bridge design that didn't include room for commuters, tourists or those wanting to keep fit, to cycle, walk or run over its span.

But the transport agency has a history of letting Manawatū and Hawke's Bay down.

As a result of the last major closure of State Highway 3 through the gorge in 2011-12, officials commissioned a report into alternative east-west highway options.

And that's where that idea ended. Nothing was done and then the April 2017 slip came down, shutting the existing road indefinitely.

More than 18 months on, the agency has a preferred gorge replacement route and the design is there for us to see on a flash computer-generated flyover.

Conspicuous by their absence are cycle and pedestrian lanes, which has, quite rightly, upset cyclists and the region's politicians. 

Not to worry, says transport agency project manager Lonnie Dalzell, the designs are only 'indicative'. This seems illogical. Surely an indicative design is an indication of how the road will look, and right now it's a car-only zone.

Palmerston North city councillor Brent Barrett is right to say that's not good enough.

Further, documents lodged seeking designations over the route reveal no separated pathway, no cycle lanes and no clip-on lanes at the existing bridge over the Manawatū River at Ashhurst that will be part of the new highway.

Surely if transport officials were considering such lanes they would be making provision for them to extend from Ashhurst.

For some reason, cycle and pedestrian lanes provoke visceral reactions among some motorists.

They'll say it adds cost. They'll say walkers and runners can use the existing track through the gorge and that cyclists can use Saddle Rd.

Such views lack imagination or are impractical and potentially hazardous. 

An Ashhurst to Woodville cycle and walking track alongside the highway can only be good for the region. It would attract tourists and locals alike.

It's time for transport officials to move out of the 1960s.

Jimmy Ellingham is a Stuff news director in Manawatū