Urban mobility in Cambridge and Te Awamutu up for discussion

Significant investment in walking and cycling infrastructure could be on the cards for Cambridge and Te Awamutu – pending community feedback.

Waipā District Council is seeking funding to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in its main towns. However, first input is needed from residents on the direction Council should be taking to do this.

Council transportation manager Bryan Hudson said it was crucial to invest in this type of infrastructure to ensure both Cambridge and Te Awamutu were prepared for the major growth forecast for both centres in the coming years.

“Waipā is home to around 56,200 residents, with over 55 per cent living in Cambridge and Te Awamutu. By 2050, the population of these two towns will nearly double.

“Improving walking and cycling infrastructure will give residents the option of getting out on foot or hopping on their bikes to get around town, instead of jumping in a car.”

Hudson said Council would be putting forward a $9.5 million plan for walking and cycling which would be rolled out over 10 years for the upcoming Long Term Plan, but was first seeking 51 per cent of that cost to be covered by external funding.

“Before we move forward with this project, we’d like to hear from residents on what they want us to focus on in this space. Is education for cyclists and drivers a top priority or should we focus on creating shared pathways for use by cyclists and pedestrians?”

Hudson said a working group which included residents from both Te Awamutu and Cambridge had narrowed down the possible walking and cycling options into three themes.

Theme one, culture change, focuses on maintaining current walking and cycling infrastructure while providing education programmes for both cyclists and drivers, improving access to bikes and enhancing street lighting.

Theme two, tactical improvements, would put Council’s focus on creating shared pathways for walkers and cyclists to use. With this option, residents would be able to easily move between popular spots in town by bike or on foot.

The third theme, cross-town cycleway, would see Council creating protected cycleways on key routes separating walkers, cyclists and cars and providing safer crossing points for both cyclists and pedestrians.

Residents are asked to rank the themes in order of importance via a short survey at www.waipadc.govt.nz/urbanmobility.

“We have also weighed up the benefits and disadvantages of each of these options and this is also available on our website.

“It’s important we hear from as many people as possible as this will be a significant investment, so we need to make sure we are on the right track.”

Feedback closes Monday 30 November at 5pm.