In our discussions so far with Council, we have supported the objective of a safer environment for cycling. However, our position is that the design must be balanced and recognise the various other major and diverse uses of Oriental Parade, not just by residents but also all Wellingtonians. While the Council’s “Project Objectives” required recognition of most of these factors (as set out on page 3 of the attached Workshop 6 minutes), initial stages of design did not do so adequately. We accept that a degree of compromise is required; however, some of the input to the design process was of a singular, rather than balanced focus. We have endeavoured to be constructive and make it work for all users — other matters we considered important included pedestrian safety, safe and adequate parking, retention of the flush median strip, maintaining an adequate width of vehicle carriageway and reasonable traffic flow at peak times, compliance with road rules by all road users including cyclists.
Finally, if Council are going to proceed with this proposal, the design needs be right first time. Oriental Bay must not have a repeat of Island Bay.
The plans have been through several redesigns. The latest are contained in the attached minutes. Our preferred plan at this stage is D, subject to the comments in our email response of 10 October.
I wish to thank those committee members and residents, and Ward Councillor Nicola Young, who have provided help and support with our research, submissions and representations to Council on this matter to date. It is far from finished and the timetable from here is set out on page 8 of the attached minutes.
The OBRA committee is very aware that we are only representatives of our community and we appreciate that community members may have a range of views about this subject which we welcome. Therefore, if you wish to make any comment or other communication, please send them to Bernarr.Alexander@wcc.govt.nz, with a copy to obra.secretary@gmail.com.