Shouting erupts as Wellington City Council approves new Island Bay cycleway design

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

In September 2017, Wellington Mayor Justin Lester proposed a compromise solution for the layout of the Island Bay Cycleway.

The Wellington community of Island Bay will be getting a new cycleway whether the residents like it or not.

During a heated debate on Wednesday, Wellington City Council voted to support a 'common sense' compromise, submitted by mayor Justin Lester this week, to the ongoing argument over the existing Island Bay cycleway's controversial design.

But some residents continue to be vocal in their opposition and are threatening legal action, saying the new proposal is still ignoring the views of locals who want The Parade returned to its pre-cycleway design.

Island Bay resident Vicki Greco storms out of a Wellington City Council meeting to approve a new Island Bay cycleway design, telling councillors: 'You are a disgrace .. I'm disgusted'. The man on the left screamed at her to get out.

Lester's $4.1 million solution will see will see both road lanes along The Parade widened to 3.5 metres, and unmarked car parking restored along its length.

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Wellington Mayor Justin Lester and councillor Simon Woolf (head turned) clashed during the cycleway debate.

* Wellington Mayor Justin Lester proposes new solution for Island Bay cycleway

* Solution for Wellington's Island Bay cycleway could cost $7m and the loss of 57 car parks

The Island Bay cycleway, which was completed in 2016, has been a controversial addition to the southern Wellington suburb.

* Council orders double-reviews into its handling of Island Bay cycleway**

The idea was tabled after four alternative designs for the cycleway were put in front of the public back in July. The council received more than 3700 public submissions on the options, which ended up being superseded by Lester's.

The proposed alternative layout for the Island Bay Cycleway will see it raised to the same height as the kerb.

But because the council considers Lester's solution a decision born out of the earlier consultation, they will not be putting it in front of the public for further debate.

Instead, the existing cycleway, which sits between the footpath and parked cars at the same height as the road, will be raised to the same height as the kerb, allowing cars to park up against it.

The proposed new Island Bay cycleway design will not be put before the Wellington public for further consultation.

Lester said his solution met 31 of the 34 'bottom lines' set out by local residents. He believed it would end the debacle that has dragged on since the cycleway was first mooted in 2011 and intensified after it was completed in early 2016.

While the cycleway has its admirers, some people feel it has made The Parade unsafe by narrowing the amount of road space for vehicles and reducing visibility for motorists entering and exiting driveways.

Island Bay Residents' Association president Vicki Greco, told councillors at Wednesday's meeting they were no closer to a resolution and Lester's option was 'back to ground zero'.

When negotiating with the mayor, residents were led to believe that young and nervous cyclists would ride on the footpath and other riders would be back on the road, she said.

'Our most vulnerable are being put at risk … we live with this nightmare on a daily basis and none of the measures give us confidence they will be protected.'

Residents had asked the Government to pull all funding for Wellington's cycling programme until the council was prepared to genuinely consult and listen to communities, she said.

'Our community has been through hell because of your bad decisions.'

Greco and her supporters heckled councillors as they were voting, and she stormed out after shouting they had just voted against democracy: 'You are a disgrace … I'm disgusted'.

A member of the public screamed at Greco to get out.

During the debate, councillor Simon Woolf declared himself the 'lone wolf' against the proposal.

In an emotional speech he said the council had mucked it up and gone against the majority of ratepayers, and he was ashamed the council was spending millions.

'Island Bay was a poor political choice for a cycleway. It never should have been a priority and has been poorly implemented since.'

But Lester jumped in to remind him that during the last council triennium, when the cycleway's construction was approved, Woolf held the community engagement portfolio and it was his job to be involved in the decision making.

Woolf demanded and received an apology from Lester.

Patrick Morgan, from the Cycling Action Network, told councillors the latest proposal was a sensible compromise.

'Change is not easy, but I predict we will all be proud of the result.'

Consultants are now working on the final detailed design for the cycleway. Work is set to start in early 2018.

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