Ngauranga to Wellington Airport Draft Corridor Plan
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NGAURANGA TO WELLINGTON AIRPORT DRAFT CORRIDOR PLAN FOR CONSULTATION JUNE/JULY 2008 NGAURANGA TO WELLINGTON AIRPORT DRAFT CORRIDOR PLAN Foreword The corridor between Ngauranga and The plan must be flexible. Now, perhaps Wellington Airport is arguably the most more than at any other time in history, crucial part of the greater Wellington the future is unknowable and our best region’s strategic transport network. predictions are likely to be inaccurate. Over the past five years, a number of Within this corridor are the gateways to the global issues have gained increasing Wellington CBD, our regional port, State prominence including the forecasted impact Highway One, the main trunk railway line, of greenhouse emissions on climate, the our regional hospital and our domestic effects of unstable and increasing oil prices, and international airport. Thousands of possible technological responses to these commuters rely on this network to get to developments and forecast ageing of local and from their place of employment. There populations. The future is uncertain and the are vital connecting points for passengers pace of change is accelerating. This shows a and freight from north, south and overseas. need to make plans for the corridor that can Wellington CBD is the second largest respond and adapt to change. commercial and retail centre in the country. And, last but not least, each day the corridor To this end, the plan identifies elements enables residents, students and workers that may be necessary for the future of the to travel in all four directions within the city based on current knowledge of possible capital city. scenarios. It aims to protect those elements to ensure that they are available if required, Over the next 20 years parts of this corridor and sets out factors that may trigger an – Johnsonville, Newtown (Adelaide Road) early review of some elements. The plan is and Kilbirnie – will accommodate an intended to be a living document that will estimated 20,000 more people. It is essential be adaptive as our knowledge improves. therefore that this corridor plan enables people to go where they need to go as We encourage you to read this document smoothly and efficiently as possible. It is and make sure you let us know what you also important that it is environmentally think, either by filling in the form at the sustainable and builds on the vibrancy back, making a more detailed submission or and innovation for which Wellington is commenting online at www.gw.govt.nz/n2a internationally renowned. Bryan Jackson Kerry Prendergast Fran Wilde Chair, Transit New Zealand Mayor of Wellington Chair, Greater Wellington 1 NGAURANGA TO WELLINGTON AIRPORT DRAFT CORRIDOR PLAN Introduction For the last 100 years or so, planners have widening of Wallace Street through Mt Cook. considered what makes transport corridors While such a project would reduce travel successful. One of the most common recipes times for buses and vehicles travelling to for success, which can be found in cities and from the southern suburbs, the required all over the world, has four important destruction of up to 50 heritage houses and ingredients. Firstly, at the heart the impact on the local area were deemed of the corridor, is a highly reliable and to be unacceptable from an urban frequent public transport route - such as development perspective. a well-operated rail, bus or light rail system. Secondly, running along the public transport route, is a ‘high street’ or ‘main road’ where shops, businesses, schools and community facilities locate. The third part of a successful corridor is the regional ‘bypass’ or ‘ring route’ for vehicles - this can be a motorway or local road. And the fourth is a set of interconnected and convenient local street, walking, cycling and public transport networks. Each of these elements has an important role within the corridor: the public transport system is the main people mover; the ‘high Light rail option street’ is where the main activities locate, often around public transport stations; the Light rail is potentially a very effective ‘ring route’ is for time-critical vehicular public transport solution, and many travel not needing to access the ‘high street’ people are excited by this form of directly; and the interconnected cycling, public transport. Various light rail walking and public transport networks options were proposed and tested in encourage sustainability and enhance urban the development of this draft plan, vitality and liveliness. but none were found to be feasible within the next 10 years. The two key These four ingredients form the basis of the challenges are the high cost of the Ngauranga to Airport draft corridor plan. light rail infrastructure, and how to The draft plan is the culmination of successfully integrate bus and light rail more than three years of research and networks. The draft plan proposes two consultation by a study team from Transit actions in terms of light rail. Firstly, New Zealand, Wellington City Council and within the next five years, protect the Greater Wellington Regional Council. future option of developing a light rail In May 2006 the team asked the community network by developing a dedicated what were the key transport issues for bus priority network (which could Wellington city. This provided valuable become the light rail or busway routes information on what options could be of the future). Secondly, undertake a considered to improve the network and detailed scheme assessment for a light ensure its future reliability and effectiveness. rail or busway network in 5-10 years, Many of these options were assessed in including a link to the airport. A light detail by the study team. The options were rail network will become more feasible tested against criteria such as feasibility if public transport use increases and and good urban design, and against the more people live and work along the public consultation feedback. An example possible future light rail routes. of a proposal that was discarded was the 2 NGAURANGA TO WELLINGTON AIRPORT DRAFT CORRIDOR PLAN Where to from here? Consultation on the draft plan runs until Can we move the Railway 28 July. To comment, please complete and return the feedback form at the back of Station? this booklet or you can comment online at www.gw.govt.nz/n2a In order to bring rail users closer into the central city the option of extending Hearings on the submissions will take place the rail line along the waterfront in August. Oral submitters will be notified by to Courtenay Place was considered. mail. The hearings are public and details of However, a solution similar to Britomart dates, times and venues will be advertised in Auckland (where a tunnel brings in local newspapers and will be available at trains to Queen Street) was found to be www.gw.govt.nz/n2a operationally difficult, very expensive and very disruptive to build. You can also find out more about the draft plan, and talk to a member of the project team, at one of the following public information days over the next month. More details about the study, the options, technical reports and the consultation feed- Wednesday 18 June back, are available at www.gw.govt.nz/n2a 1pm–4pm Kilbirnie Community Centre Thursday 19 June 11am-2pm Ground floor, Wellington City Library Saturday 21 June 11am–2pm Queensgate Mall, Lower Hutt Saturday 28 June 11am–2pm Paraparaumu Library Meeting Room Saturday 5 July 11am–2pm Trentham City Mall Saturday 12 July 11am–2pm North City, Porirua Saturday 19 July 11am–2pm Johnsonville Mall For more details please visit www.gw.govt.nz/n2a 3 NGAURANGA TO WELLINGTON AIRPORT DRAFT CORRIDOR PLAN The big picture The draft corridor plan has been developed The RLTS contains the following region-wide under the umbrella of several broader strategic outcomes: national, regional and urban strategies. These are the NZ Transport Strategy, the • greater use of public transport Wellington Regional Strategy, the Wellington • more people walking and cycling Regional Land Transport Strategy and Wellington City’s Transport and Urban • fewer greenhouse gas emissions Development Strategies. • less severe road congestion The plan is connected directly to the • fewer road accidents Wellington Regional Land Transport Strategy (RLTS 2007-2016). The RLTS guides the long- • improved land use and transport term development of our region’s transport integration system, including public transport, roads, walking, cycling and freight for the next 10 • improved regional freight efficiency. years and beyond. Also, Wellington City Council’s Transport The RLTS describes the long-term vision for and Urban Development Strategies seek the Ngauranga to Airport corridor in the to achieve: following way: • future population and employment growth along a ‘growth spine’ between Johnsonville and Kilbirnie, (see page “Along the Ngauranga to Wellington 5 for more information), supported by: Airport Corridor, access to key » a dedicated, high quality and high destinations such as CentrePort, frequency public transport corridor Wellington City CBD, Newtown Hospital and the International Airport » a high quality state highway route with will be efficient, reliable, quick and dependable travel times easy. Priority will be given to public transport through this corridor, » bus priority along connecting particularly during the peak period. arterial routes Public transport will provide a very • convenient and safe walking and high quality, reliable and safe service cycling routes along the Wellington City growth spine and other key commuter routes. • limited commuter parking in the CBD The road network will provide well for those trips which can not be made • better access to the waterfront. by alternative modes and will allow All of the above outcomes have been freight to move freely through the accounted for in the development of the corridor. Traffic congestion through draft Ngauranga to Airport plan.