The Government has confirmed that there is no government funding contribution in their 2024–2027 programme for the Wheels to Wings – Papanui ki Waiwhetū major cycle route. While there is budget for the project in the Council’s Long Term Plan, latest estimates are higher than is provided for in that budget.
“Without a funding contribution from government, the Council cannot deliver the design approved in 2022 within the total available budget of $18.5 million”, says Council. “We’re putting forward seven options for elected members to consider, to keep this project moving forward. Several of these alternative design options could be delivered at a lower cost than the approved design.”
Options include increasing the project budget through the upcoming Annual Plan process, only building part of the cycle route until further funding becomes available, or changing the design from physical separation between cyclists & vehicles to instead use ‘buffered painted cycle lanes’ – an approach which Council says has “significant safety concerns”.
Councillors will discuss these options during briefings this month.
Read more on the Council’s Newsline site:
https://www.newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/next-steps-for-wheels-to-wings-cycle-route