Work is about to go up a gear on plans for safer walking and cycling pathways in Kihikihi and Cambridge.
In December, the government announced Waipā District Council would receive up to $10.4 million to help build safer pathways, on top of Council’s contribution. All up around $8.6 million will be spent in Cambridge and around $7.2 million in Kihikihi.
The government money is part of Waka Kotahi’s programme aimed at helping create more transport choices across New Zealand and helping people safely opt out of cars.
Deputy mayor and Urban Mobility Group chair Liz Stolwyk said the government funding had already saved Waipā ratepayers millions. It had allowed the Kihikihi project to be extended to include the full length of Whitmore St plus a connection to the central business area. In Cambridge, it allowed a connection to Cambridge Middle School.
But importantly, the funding boost means Council can move quickly to deliver on key projects which already have strong community support, Stolwyk said.
“The proposed routes in Kihikihi and Cambridge are not new. They’ve been talked about extensively and agreed with Community Boards. There’s also been huge input from community representatives on the Urban Mobility Group including some direct input from schools,” she said.
“We’re at the stage now where we are getting into the nitty-gritty and we need people involved in a constructive way so we can get on with it.”
In Cambridge, the pathway will start on Grey Street outside Cambridge Middle School, and connect with Hamilton Road cycleway. The Hamilton Road cycleway will be extended along Bryce Street to Duke Street. It is proposed to continue along Wilson Street until Victoria Bridge, with an additional pathway on Alpha Street to connect to Te Awa Cycleway and the new pathway.
In Kihikihi, the strong focus for the pathway – named Te Ara Rimu – is on local primary school students with a safe, shared pathway planned for Rolleston, Whitmore and Oliver Streets. Work in Kihikihi is likely to involve intersection changes with possible cul de sacs, a signalised pedestrian crossing, bus stop and roundabout.
Community consultation on the routes will begin later this month with face-to-face presentations, an online Zoom webinar and an online survey. Letters are being hand-delivered to residents on affected streets and everybody would be encouraged to ask questions and provide feedback.
“People who don’t walk or cycle need to appreciate that a growing number of people do, or certainly would do if there were safer options,” Stolwyk said. “And the more people who do, the less cars will be our local roads. We all win from that.”
Following community feedback, plans will be finalised and formally approved in May this year. Works should begin in July 2023 and be complete by early 2024.
To find out more and have a say about plans for Cambridge:
- In person, Tuesday March 7, Cambridge Council office, 4pm- 6pm
- Online (Zoom webinar), Wednesday March 8, 7-8pm (register at www.waipadc.govt.nz/cambridgepathways)
- Fill in a survey www.waipadc.govt.nz/cambridgepathways
Cambridge consultation opens Monday 27 February and closes Friday 24 March.
To find out more and have a say about plans for Kihikihi
- In person, Monday February 27, Kihikihi Town Hall 5.30pm – 8pm
- Fill in a survey at www.waipadc.govt.nz/kihikihipathways
Kihikihi consultation opens Monday 20 February and closes Friday 17 March.
