Cyclist (file picture). (Source: istock.com) Two Wellington councils have clashed over carparks, with the regional council accusing the city council of undermining its transport strategy.
Greater Wellington Regional Council chairperson Daran Ponter, and the chairperson of its transport committee Thomas Nash, have written to Wellington City Council expressing "concern" over a decision to reinstate carparks on the city-to-Karori route.
These parks were initially removed to allow for uphill bus and bike lanes on Glenmore St, alongside the Botanic Gardens. Daran Ponter (Source: rnz.co.nz) But on February 27, the city council’s regulatory processes committee asked council officers to investigate options for reinstating them, citing concern from residents.
The regional council, which runs the public transport network through Metlink, said the changes had eased congestion and increased bus capacity — and as these bus and bike lanes were jointly designed, the regional council should have been consulted on any changes from the start.
"We note that Greater Wellington has a Memorandum of Understanding and funding agreement with WCC in place as part of the wider Karori Connections Project; as part of this agreement we would expect any roading changes along the corridor that impact public transport should be aligned and agreed with Greater Wellington prior to proceeding," the letter said.
It also pointed out any changes to bus stops, either in quantity or length, affected the wider network – in particular, whether the five electric articulated buses it was in the process of ordering would be able to service that route. Pavilion in the Botanical Garden […]
Continue reading the original article at: www.1news.co.nz