Green light for Cambridge walking and cycling path

Cambridge’s new walking and cycling pathway is one step closer to construction.

Council’s Service Delivery Committee largely approved the $8.6m pathway today, after considering community feedback. More than 160 submissions were received, via an online survey, stakeholder meetings, a webinar and drop-in session.

Most submitters supported the pathway and more than half said it would encourage themselves or their children to walk or cycle in Cambridge. Ninety per cent of submitters supported installing safer low speed zones around schools, in particular Cambridge Primary School and Cambridge Middle School.

Waipā District Council’s transportation manager, Bryan Hudson said a number of changes were made to the design as a result of the submissions, all approved by the Committee today.

“Receiving feedback from a wide variety of community groups was incredibly valuable and helped us make changes to the pathway which will improve it further.”

Changes resulting from the engagement include:

• Narrowing the intersections on Bryce Street to create shorter distances for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road.
• At crossing points along the entire route – giving priority to pedestrians and cyclists over vehicle traffic where site conditions and safety requirements permit.
• Minimising the amount of signage and line marking on the cycleway to decrease visual clutter.

Council is continuing to develop a plan to extend the pathway to the Cambridge Middle School, on Clare and Grey Street north.

“We have heard concerns from residents already that some parents are using Grey Street north as a rat race when they are dropping or picking kids up from school.”

“We will be working closely with the affected residents and Cambridge Middle School to ensure the new pathway is right for them and improves the safety of the streets for middle school students.”

Consultation for the new pathway on Clare Street and Grey Street north is expected to start in late July. Construction of the pathway is likely to start in September this year and be completed by mid-2024.

Waka Kotahi has provided $5.6 million in funding for the pathway as part of its programme to create more transport choices across New Zealand and help people safely opt out of cars. The remaining $3 million has come from Council’s Long Term Plan 2021 – 2031 investment towards urban mobility projects.