A Dunedin City Council online survey has received more than 600 responses in regards the effects a separated cycle lane might have on parking in the city. Shane Gilchrist reports.
There is no doubt car parks would have to go to accommodate a separated cycle lane.
For the uni-directional ''One-Way Pair'' option, up to 390 car parks could be lost; the bi-directional Cumberland St option could cost 185 car parks.
As John Christie, chief executive of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, notes: ''It would be fair to say there is concern from people who might be directly affected - say, retailers who might lose car parks close to their businesses.
''Obviously, we'd be concerned about that, as we would for building owners who could potentially lose tenants through any parking changes.''
However, Mr Christie says it would be a ''very narrow view'' to consider the argument solely as parking versus cycling.
''I don't think it's about how many car parks might be lost; it's about what other options will be available to enable the public to access the services they require. Until we know the final decision, there are a lot of ifs and buts.
''To be fair, I don't think most of our businesses completely oppose the idea of cycle-ways, but they are concerned about mitigating the effects any cycle lane[s] would have on parking, making sure access to the CBD is good,'' Mr Christie says.
''I don't think it is as polarised a debate as what could be construed through online comments. I think businesses are a bit more pragmatic about how it might work.
"If you look at international models, you can see how there can be opportunities for both cycle lanes and parking.
''We are in constant dialogue with the city over this to ensure we represent the views of the business community.
"The parking issue is not just about retailers. We have many other businesses reliant on their customers having access to the services they provide.
''Obviously, Dunedin Hospital is an important institution and there are problems already in regards parking there. But this debate on cycle lanes might give us an opportunity to address that.''
Council transportation planning manager Sarah Connelly confirms the DCC's online survey has received more than 600 responses in regards parking.
''The main message coming through is that there is already pressure on parking near the hospital and they are worried any cycle lane would make it worse.
''We recognise the importance of parking to the city. It is important to look at that.
''No final decision has been made. Ultimately, until we take it to council, we have no idea how they will vote. At the end of the day, it's up to them. There is still lots to talk about.''
Parking proposals
- Move affected parking meters, P5 and other time-restricted parking to adjacent streets where practical.
- Promote vacant parks in existing car-parking areas and buildings. Car parks with spare capacity include a St Andrew St car park, which has 120-130 spaces usually vacant at busy times, and costs $3/day, and the Great King St parking building, which has 40-50 spaces usually vacant at busy times, and costs $2/hour before 6pm.
- Provide additional angle parking in Union, St David, Dundas, Howe and Duke streets. Preliminary estimates show that more than 100 extra spaces could be created in these streets, within one block of the one-way system.
- Provide more commercial parking such as a new parking building.
