Ian Duncan.
The New Zealand Transport Agency is conducting a safety
review of the one-way state highway systems through Dunedin,
following a request from the Dunedin City Council.
But the national agency will not disclose details of its
review or an estimated completion date.
State highway manager (Otago-Southland) Ian Duncan said the
NZTA had responded to the council's request for information
about options to improve cycle safety on the one-way systems,
following the death of a cyclist outside Dunedin Hospital
last month.
''We have initiated a review,'' he said.
Mr Duncan said it was too early to say which organisation
would have to pay for any improvements, and it could depend
on the scale of work.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull sought an urgent investigation into
whether the one-way systems could be made safer for all road
users, in particular cyclists.
He expected it would take the NZTA some time to respond, but
hoped to have something to ''chew over'' as soon as possible.
''I understand the review will include sitting down and
having discussions with us [DCC] and I would hope that we can
move on the short-term solutions quite quickly. Long-term
solutions may take some time but we should at least get into
discussions soon,'' Mr Cull said yesterday.
DCC chief executive Paul Orders wrote to the NZTA two weeks
ago, asking it to urgently address the issue.
It was hoped the agency, 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
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.
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