PHOTO
No changes are planned for walking and cycling access in Dunedin’s Town Belt after completion of a controversial trial closure to through traffic.
Planter boxes, street furniture, table tennis tables, chalk games and “wheely fun” were trialled by the Dunedin City Council for three months while sections of Queens Dr and Braid Rd were closed to most vehicles.
The trial from January 26 to April 19 received mixed feedback — of 1546 submissions, 896 were opposed to permanently closing part of Queens Dr to vehicles, 599 supported such a closure and 51 were unsure or did not indicate a preference, the council said.
A report about the project, described as an “active travel trial”, is to be discussed by councillors on Thursday.
They have been asked to note that, following feedback, “no further trials or changes to walking and cycling access are planned for the Town Belt”.
The trial was pitched as “an opportunity to reimagine this section of the Town Belt as an active, people-focused space — a place to enjoy the reserve as a park, rather than a vehicle thoroughfare”.
It was contentious during the city council’s by-election this year, won by Cr Jo Galer, who in April described Queens Dr as “Play Street … the stuff of your future nightmares driving to work”.
The trial cost the council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi about $14,000 each.
“Supportive feedback commonly identified improved amenity, reduced vehicle conflict, opportunities for walking and cycling and enjoyment of the Town Belt environment,” the council’s engagement and trial summary report said.
“Opposing feedback commonly identified concerns regarding vehicle access, travel convenience, traffic redistribution and council spending priorities.”
Ecologist and environmental historian Paul Pope was one person who supported the trial and permanently closing part of Queens Dr to cars.
The Town Belt occupied a central place in the landscape and ecological framework of the city, he wrote in his submission.
It was first and foremost a reserve, he wrote.
Mr Pope is also the Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman and he wrote Dunedin was missing out on important opportunities for promotion of recreational, historical, educational and tourism events in the Town Belt.
“Frankly, the current drive is dowdy, poorly marked and poorly advertised,” he wrote.
Denise Benwell was among the submitters against, calling the trial a waste of money.
“It’s Queens Drive … and that is what was intended … a drive,” she wrote.
The engagement and trial summary report said levels of trust in council decision-making processes were a recurring theme in social media discussions.
“Some commenters expressed concern that the trial outcome had been predetermined or that temporary changes could become permanent regardless of feedback received.”
The council said the trial was partly about assessing transport outcomes and also developing a better understanding of “the broader relationship between vehicle access, recreation, biodiversity experience, safety, public amenity and community use within the Town Belt environment”.
It was intended to provide the council with evidence and observations “to help inform future decision-making regarding the role and function of Queens Dr within the Dunedin Town Belt”.
“Any future changes would remain subject to further technical investigation, community engagement, funding considerations and council approval through the appropriate decision-making processes.”
Feedback indicated support for picnic tables, seating, table tennis tables and other recreation-focused amenities.