Motueka poorly treated in draft transport plans

May 9th, 2012
[by David Armstrong]

Plans for roading projects in the Motueka ward are notable by their absence in the Tasman Regional Land Transport Programme (RLTP) for 2012 - 2015, says the Motueka Community Board in its submission to the draft plan.

At its May meeting held yesterday, the board approved a submission to Tasman District Council's draft RLTP in which it strongly criticises the dearth of work planned in and around Motueka in the near or medium-term future.

The draft RLTP is the TDC's bid for funding from central government's Land Transport Fund particularly for a three year programme of activities for the financial years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15. It also includes a financial forecast of anticipated expenditure and funding sources for the activities for the 10 financial years from 2012 to 2022.

The community board's submission says that the programme does not include any Motueka local roads projects for those 2012 – 2015 years, and asks if we being overlooked. "It is of considerable concern that the Programme (2012 - 2015) does not include any Motueka Ward projects. The $510 allocated is for Richmond items," it says.

"Moreover, the only local road project is for 2019 – 2020, widening of corners between Woodman's Bend and the intersection with Mytton Heights. This is estimated at $1.1 million, from a budget of $6 million."

It also points out its "major concern" that a comprehensive plan to upgrade the Riwaka - Kaiteriteri road, which was prepared in 1999 - 2000, has been postponed repeatedly and is now no longer on the 10-year programme. It fears the urgent upgrade of Turners Bluff may also be shelved.

Also missing from draft plans is the linking of Manoy Street and Talbot Street to ease local traffic congestion on the west side of High Street, and upgrading of the deteriorating parts of Parker Street.

The board also says that the $835,000 allocated for new and improved infrastructure for state highways also does not include and projects within the Motueka ward. The board's current top priorities within this category include traffic signals at the High Street intersection with Pah and Greenwood streets, a roundabout at the clock tower corner, and a pedestrian crossing linking New World with The Warehouse.

They acknowledge that there are budget items for District-wide items, such as sealed road resurfacing and traffic services renewals, which will include the Motueka ward, "but at first glance there is little programmed for Motueka over the next 10 years".

Also of concern to the board is that the walking/cycling component of the programme is very low at less than $1.5 million. "This seems contrary to the council's current policies which reflect an increased number of cyclists and walkers in the District, mostly local residents," they say. And almost all of the allocation to cycleways is scheduled for 2014 - 2015.

"Cycleways (and cycle lanes) have a low cost relative to motor vehicle projects and consequently have a high benefit-to-cost ratio. The number of cyclists has increased markedly in recent years."

Delivery of the programme depends on Tasman District Council and NZTA securing the funds and delivering the programme.

Read the full programme (1.2Mb) here »

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