Paul Orders.
Dunedin City Council chief executive Paul Orders is
writing to the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) asking it to
urgently address the issue of safety for cyclists on Dunedin's
one-way state highway system.
At an extraordinary meeting of the council yesterday,
councillors unanimously supported the motion for Mr Orders to
start dialogue with the NZTA.
Mayor Dave Cull last week called for urgency in dealing with
the issue after Dr Li Hong (Chris) He was killed while
cycling along Cumberland St.
Yesterday, Mr Cull asked those at the council meeting to
observe a moment of silence out of respect for Dr He's
family.
Mr Cull said he did not want to blame anyone or any
organisation for Dr He's death, but rather "open up
discussion" about how to make the two one-way systems in
Dunedin safer for cyclists.
"It is a lethal issue and the community needs to get on with
finding solutions to it," he said.
His motion to the council authorised Mr Orders, as chief
executive, to seek feedback from the NZTA with urgency.
It was hoped the NZTA, which had legal jurisdiction over
state highways, would supply a list of temporary intervention
options to improve the safety of cyclists, and develop a
high-level plan for enhanced cyclist and pedestrian safety on
the "pair" of Dunedin's one-way systems.
The council also hoped the NZTA would suggest alternative
enhanced routes and assistance in funding for such work, to
make Dunedin safer for cyclists.
During the next few years the council plans to invest in a
better city-wide cycle network.
rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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