Papakura Local Board chairman Brent Catchpole is calling for AT to review its plans for a new cycleway in Papakura. Photo: Stephen Forbes / Stuff
Papakura Local Board is calling for Auckland Transport to rethink its plans for a new cycleway on Beach Rd.
Work was originally set to start this month, with concrete separators, nicknamed "Tim Tams" in other parts of Auckland, due to be installed along sections of Hingaia Rd and Beach Rd. But, according to Auckland Transport (AT), it had been held up as it tried to finalise the details with the local board.
The board has called on AT to build a separate off-road walking and cycleway instead of concrete separators in the area.
Chairman Brent Catchpole said the barriers were not safe and he wanted AT to review its plans.
"We feel they aren't the best option and don't provide safety for cyclists," he said.
Papakura's Beach Rd was not very wide and was a busy main arterial route, Catchpole said.
"We've been calling for a separate walking and cycleway in the area for a number of years."
Even if it cost more, it would be the safer option, he said.
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His thoughts were echoed by Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Daniel Newman, who said the Papakura Local Board was right to push back against AT's plans.
"Beach Rd is already significantly congested during the afternoon peak, there is no room nor logic in turning that road into a cycleway."
Matt Lowrie, who is the editor of transport and urban design blog Greater Auckland, said building a separate, shared pathway for cyclists and pedestrians would not only cost more, but it would also create a whole new set of problems.
"Shared paths aren't ideal and go against all good design guidelines," Lowrie said.
Concrete separators, nicknamed "Tim Tams", installed on a cycleway along Auckland's Upper Harbour Drive near Greenhithe. Photo: Todd Niall / Stuff
They also increased safety issues for pedestrians who had to share the same path with cyclists, Lowrie said.
While some people might oppose the use of separators, they were often the best way to build new cycleways for less, he said.
There had been a focus in recent months on Upper Harbour Drive in west Auckland where some motorists complained about the fact they had run into the concrete separators, he said.
But Lowrie said it merely showed they were in fact working.
While some sports cyclists did not like the concrete separators, they only represented a small proportion of users, he said.
An AT spokesperson said it was still working through the project with the Papakura Local Board and was unable to provide exact details, including the cost of the works, at this stage.
But the spokesperson said the use of separators was an easier way to install cycleways.
"The purpose of that programme is to physically separate cycle and vehicle lanes, specifically where they already exist, and large-scale or civil works are not required. That means it's quick to implement, as the separators sit on top of the existing painted road lines."
The spokesperson said the Papakura project was one of 60 locations included as part of its Minor Cycling and Micromobility Programme, which would connect cycleways across the city.
They said it was critical to encourage viable transport alternatives, and to achieve the targets in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri Auckland's Climate Plan.
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