Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust members Gerard Hyland and Greg
Brenssell believe opening the old rail tunnel through the
Caversham Hill to cyclists is a better option than creating
a new cycleway over the hill. Also pictured, Grace
Brenssell (7) and Joe Brenssell (10). Photo by Peter
McIntosh.
A plan by the New Zealand Transport Agency to create a
cycleway over the Caversham Hill is not the best option for
cyclists, according to the group pushing to be able to use a
former rail tunnel through the hill.
Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust spokesman Gerard Hyland said it
was good to see the $30 million Caversham highway upgrade
going ahead, but it was "disappointing" the agency was
"unable to see the advantages of using the old Caversham
tunnel as a cycleway".
The upgrade from Andersons Bay Rd to Lookout Point includes a
cycleway up the northern side of the Caversham hill.
Mr Hyland said using the tunnel alternative would remove a
"large amount of non-vehicular traffic from a busy and
potentially dangerous section of State Highway 1".
"In addition to creating a safer route for cyclists
travelling between Caversham and Green Island ... it shortens
the trip and changes it from a vertical climb of 120m - close
to a 1 in 10 gradient - to a gentle rail-trail gradient."
A cycleway over the Caversham hill would be suitable for
regular cyclists, "however, a cycleway through the tunnel
could be used by a far larger group of people".
Mr Hyland said the agency had agreed to leave the Caversham
tunnel mouth unblocked when it upgraded the highway.
He considered developing a cycleway through the Caversham
tunnel and through a second tunnel at Wingatui fitted into
the agency's safer journeys strategy, announced last year, to
lift bicycle use and cut cycling fatalities.
The Dunedin City Council is planning a feasibility study into
using the tunnels, but will also look at other options for a
cycleway south of the city.
Acting general manager strategy and development Nicola
Johnston said the terms of reference for the study had been
prepared.
They noted the "necessity of connecting to the cycleway plans
for Caversham highway improvements".
"I understand [the agency is] to incorporate the cycleway
into the Caversham highway improvements.
"Therefore, the study will be important to the final highway
design."
The council is waiting for agency approval for funding of the
study and expects a decision within two weeks.
The study is due to be completed before the end of June 2010.
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