Make way: cyclists and pedestrians are here to stay
Over the Christmas break Korokoro residents will get a footpath upgrade that has been the source of heated debate in the community.
Korokoro School deputy principal Martin Hookham says a new footpath will be built at the corner of Korokoro and Singers road.
“The upgrade is overdue on the corner of those roads,” says Mr Hookham.
The Hutt City Council approved the upgrade amidst controversy over the Sub-Standard Road Upgrade Programme that had originally prioritised funds for Normandale.
“The [council] said yes fairly quickly, and are under taking a major upgrade there.
“The curb will be extended and provisions made for lollipop barriers,” he says.
Western Ward councillor Margaret Cousins says roads in the western hills were tagged for upgrading first and that the ill-advised Korokoro ‘walking school bus’ forced the council to reallocate funding. Mr Hookham says the ‘walking school bus’ is no longer running, and was a parent-led initiative.
Korokoro cycling commuters are also having a hard time, with one resident commenting that at the Maungaraki intersection you “take your life into your hands every time”.
Acting state highways manager Craig Nicholson says work is ending on the Dowse to Petone project but some construction remains at the tie-in of the new Korokoro overbridge to London Road.
“We appreciate that this may make it challenging for cyclists using the bridge but ask for their patience while we complete the project.
“The final layout is not far away, meaning any Christmas holiday cyclists will be able to reap the benefits of the changes,” says Mr Nicholson.
The state highway provides 1.5m wide shoulders to better cater for cyclists on the road and the Dowse Interchange and Korokoro overbridge provide general road width shoulders for cyclists to use.
“These are local roads with a 50km/h or lower speed of traffic using them meaning they should be suitable for vehicles and cyclists to share,” he says.
Both structures have pedestrian footpaths connecting Hutt Road with the hill suburbs which could be used by cyclists if they are concerned, and Mr Nicholson says cyclists travelling to Korokoro could also use the Petone Station footbridge as another option.
The Churton Park community association is looking with interest at how the Westchester drive developments will accommodate walkers and cyclists. Community association president Roger Ellis says it is important to have an integrated approach that includes pedestrian and cycling access.
“People are pushing more health programmes to tackle obesity, and having alternative transport options is important.
“We are very much looking forward to how the developments here will provide for walkers and cyclists,” Mr Ellis says.
Middleton Road has been an “on-going issue” and recent line-marking work has helped the situation somewhat.
“It’s an area of concern between Tawa and Glenside, with bikers reported being knocked of their bikes,” he says.
Pukerua Bay Residents Association chair Pat Hanley says the lack of decent walkways is an obstacle for the community.
“The highway effectively cuts our community in half.
“We have been trying to get more done, but the NZTA says the benefits of installing an overbridge are not worth it,” says Mr Hanley.
