Heathcote’s proposed cycleways described as dangerous

Press, 4 May 1984, Page 5

Heathcote’s proposed cycleways described as dangerous

Cycleways proposed in the Heathcote County Council’s District Scheme would be dangerous or unused, said the county engineer, Mr David May, last evening. The Canterbury Cyclists’ Association had expressed concern about the dwindling funds that Christchurch local bodies spent for cyclists in a letter that was received at a meeting of the County Council’s works and reserves committee.

Mr May told councillors that the cycleway routes shown in the District Scheme, notified before he had joined the council, were on roads where cyclists would not use them, or were too dangerous because of traffic. The committee decided to ask the Canterbury United Council for any ideas it might have for cycleways in

the county. United Council planners are working on a regional scheme which looks particularly at the needs of cyclists and pedestrians. One example Mr May gave was of a cycleway under the Heathcote Valley underpass, already scrapped as it was thought too dangerous.

Another was along the Port Hills Road from Curries Road to Avoca Valley Road. It was the only section along that road where the council had planted shrubs, leaving no room for a cycleway. The committee chairman, Cr Marette Taylor, said the council wanted to make a start on developing cycleways but the question was where they should be. The council’s chairman, Mr Oscar Alpers, said more

guidance was needed from the regional scheme which was only in its draft stage. “This is all good stuff that qualified for urban transport grants and while that is going we might as well be in,” he said. Canterbury had underspent its grant allocation last year, which had disappointed the Urban Transport Council, but that was partly due to late approvals for some schemes, he said. Recreation officer The Lyttelton Borough Council will be asked if it is willing to share the costs of employing a recreation officer for both councils. Cr Taylor said it might make good sense. Heathcote had no office space for such an employee, who could liaise with sport and recreational groups. Informal discussions have

been held on the proposal to employ a recreation officer. The estimated yearly cost was $20,500 with a Government subsidy of $lO,OOO available for the first three years. Cr Margaret Buchanan said she had already had two telephone calls from residents supporting the idea. Although some councillors were undecided about the need for a recreation officer, the committee decided to make a formal approach to the Lyttelton council. $lOOO donation A former county resident has given a $lOOO cheque towards the council’s purchase of Bowenvale Valley. Mr Alpers said the donor, now living in Mount Pleasant, wished to remain anonymous. The council wants the land for a public

reserve. The Christchurch Civic Trust is raising funds to buy the neighbouring Mount Vernon block to establish a. Port Hills reserve stretching from Victoria' Park to the Rapaki Track. Mowing contact Dissatisfaction with contract mowing of council reserves has led to plans to buy a council mower. The committee recommended allowing $3500 for the purchase of a rotary mower in this year’s estimates and telling the contractor that his contract would end in three months. Mr May said it would cost the council about $5OO more to do the job itself but it would have better control. Contract mowing of the reserves had been unsatisfactory during .the last six months in spite of verbal warnings, he said.