Cycle network plan approved

A modified strategic cycling network plan was approved by Dunedin city councillors yesterday and will be used as a platform from which funding will be sought.

Plans for a network of cycleways across Dunedin were tweaked after the council received more than 100 submissions during public consultation.

A draft facility map showing which types of cycleways were proposed for each route was also approved.

However, the facilities plan remained "high level", as detailed design work was needed before appropriate types of cycleway for some areas were confirmed, transportation planning manager Sarah Connolly told the full council meeting.

Councillors had questions about funding the plan, but were assured they were not being asked yesterday to commit any money, instead just to approve the plan, which could then be used as a basis to seek funding from other sources, such as the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Cr Bill Acklin and Cr Neil Collins said they still had reservations about the potential cost of the network, and how many people would use it.

Cr Jinty MacTavish said she was pleased there was something that could be used to seek national funding for the project.

Her recommendation the cycleway be considered as part of a tourism route being worked on by another working party was also accepted.

Cr John Bezett said the city was serious about cycleways, although not nearly as much as he would like, but he did not think people were ready to give up their cars yet.

He encouraged people who wanted to influence how much the council spent on cycleways to participate in the next annual planning process.