Road options sticking point

Options for improving Nelson's main roading network are struggling to prove themselves cost effective and non-roading alternatives are back on the table.

The latest move in the year-long Arterial Traffic Study follows workshops that Nelson City Council staged with key stakeholders. It is due to release an evaluation next month on the four shortlisted route options from the study. These include a two-lane southern link road through Victory, a major widening of Rocks Rd or Waimea Rd, or part-time clearways on these roads.

NCC transport manager Andrew James told the Nelson Regional Transport Committee last week that 31 attendees from various groups attended the workshops and none supported the four laning of Rocks and Waimea roads. Some people wanted to see a fifth option added providing improved walking, cycling, public transport and traffic management measures.

The four options are estimated to cost between $25 million and $120m. Cost benefit ratios being calculated as part of the study suggest none of the options will meet New Zealand Transport Agency funding requirements.

Mr James said some of the workshop attendees did not think Nelson had a traffic problem because "delays weren't that bad", but most agreed it would become a problem in the future.

Nelson Regional Transport Committee member John Moore said the Regional Land Transport Strategy had already reached a conclusion similar to the new option five and he was "totally bewildered" that this had been disregarded up until now.

Addressing the non-roading issues did not preclude constructing a new road in future if it was required, he said. "There's a lot of other much more important things that need doing before we need a new road."

Committee chairman and city councillor Derek Shaw said the council chose to pursue the study despite some councillors feeling uncomfortable about it.

Speaking outside the meeting, Automobile Association member Jeremy Glasgow said he did not believe much new had emerged from the workshops. The AA was frustrated by the repetitive nature of the processes taken.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Moriarty   #6   10:12 am Sep 10 2010

Suddenly I seem to agree with the No New Roads option. We dont want Nelson to look like Auckland or any other motor obsessed city. We do not need another another racetrack for hoons. We need to preserve every last piece of Nelson's traditional streetscapes.No more commuter car parks either.

More roads always mean more cars equals more congestionJust, use the road funds to provide a DECENT BUS SERVICE extending to Wakefield & Ruby Bay!

Duncan   #5   07:11 am Sep 09 2010

Warwick's right - Auckland waited until it was waaaaay too late before it belatedly started improving its public transport system. In the meantime it built road after road after road which only resulted in the huge traffic jam that Auckland has become. Sadly, because Auckland city planners encouraged a continuing dependence on private motor cars kiwis are still being lumped with possibly having to billions of dollars for extra roads - money that would be much more effectively spent on public transport

Procrastination   #4   02:52 am Sep 09 2010

Just build a decent road minimum 3 lanes to link whakatu drive to queen elizabeth drive, it won`t get any cheaper or easier!

Laurel Williams   #3   11:43 pm Sep 08 2010

The only thing more roads bring is more cars. I don't see how that can be a solution to any traffic problem. Not that there actually is a problem with traffic in Nelson. Think people should shut up and do something? How about they get out of their car and hop on a bus or a bike. That's the only way to solve traffic "problems."

Becky   #2   08:14 pm Sep 08 2010

The only thing that is unbelievable Warwick is people like you!

Warwick   #1   01:20 pm Sep 08 2010

This is unbeleivebale!! there is only one option! Build the new road and move traffic away from rocks road! It is the ONLY option that stacks up! Time to shut up the negative nay-sayers and just DO IT. or are we going to be like Auckland and Wellington and wait until its waaaaaay too late?

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