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Before a Board of Inquiry East West Link Proposal

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Before a Board of Inquiry East West Link Proposal BEFORE A BOARD OF INQUIRY EAST WEST LINK PROPOSAL Under the Resource Management Act 1991 In the matter of a Board of Inquiry appointed under s149J of the Resource Management Act 1991 to consider notices of requirement and applications for resource consent made by the New Zealand Transport Agency in relation to the East West Link roading proposal in Auckland Statement of Evidence in Chief of Kathryn King on behalf of Auckland Transport dated 10 May 2017 BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS A J L BEATSON SOLICITOR FOR THE SUBMITTER AUCKLAND LEVEL 22, VERO CENTRE, 48 SHORTLAND STREET PO BOX 4199, AUCKLAND 1140, DX CP20509, NEW ZEALAND TEL 64 9 916 8800 FAX 64 9 916 8801 EMAIL [email protected] Introduction 1. My full name is Kathryn King. I hold the role of Walking, Cycling and Safety Manager at Auckland Transport (AT). 2. I hold a Master of Arts (Honours) in Environmental Policy from Kings College, University of London, and a Bachelor of Planning (Honours) from the University of Auckland. I am a Prince 2 Practitioner. 3. I have 13 years’ experience in transport planning, specialising in walking and cycling. In my current role, which I have held since January 2015, I manage the teams which plan, design and implement walking, cycling and safety projects and initiatives across Auckland. 4. Key projects I have been responsible for include the following: (a) Completing AT’s Greenways design guidance in December 2016 which sets out design principles and standards for the design of local walking and cycling networks for Auckland; (b) Franklin Road Local Road Improvement (2015-17). This involved a total redesign of the street due to required rehabilitation of the street. I was part of the team that approved the design, which included improvements for people walking including new crossing point. The project will also deliver new cycleways and a new roundabout to reduce traffic speeds. The project is currently under construction; (c) Nelson Street Cycleway (January-December 2015). This involved new protected cycleways in the carriageway and the redesign of traffic signals on Nelson Street to accommodate space for a protected cycleway. This project has resulted in a significant increase in people cycling in the City Centre and was completed in December 2015; (d) Quay Street Cycleway (January 2015-July 2016). This project delivered a new protected cycleway along Quay Street from Princes Wharf to Tangihua Street. It utilised turn lanes and parking spaces along Quay Street to deliver the protected cycleway; 20958869_4 1 (e) Karangahape Road Cycleway (June 2015-present). This is a project what AT is jointly delivering with Auckland Council and is currently in detailed design. The project has involved a significant engagement plan in order to deliver a complete street which accommodates people walking, cycling, bus users and general traffic; and (f) Portobello Road Safety Upgrade (2012-14) in London, which is one of London’s busiest shopping streets. The project involved a comprehensive consultation process to agree improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as general safety improvements. Code of Conduct 5. While I am an employee of AT, I confirm that I have read the ‘Code of Conduct for Expert Witnesses’ contained in the Environment Court Consolidated Practice Note 2014. I agree to comply with this Code of Conduct. In particular, unless I state otherwise, this evidence is within my sphere of expertise and I have not omitted to consider material facts known to me that might alter or detract from the opinions I express. Scope of Evidence 6. My evidence explains the relationship of AT’s walking and cycling activities to the East West Link (EWL) project. 7. In particular, my evidence addresses: (a) Walking and cycling in the context of AT’s transport planning and investment; (b) AT’s forward programme for walking and cycling; (c) The EWL in the context of AT’s walking and cycling plans; (d) My views on the specific walking and cycling infrastructure proposed to be delivered through the EWL project and conditions required to ensure good outcomes; and (e) Construction effects of the EWL project on walking and cycling. 20958869_4 2 8. My evidence should be read in conjunction with the evidence of the other AT witnesses listed below, and defers to their expertise where necessary and applicable: (a) Mr Theunis van Schalkwyk (corporate); (b) Mr Anthony Cross (public transport); (c) Mr Michael Davies (operational and construction traffic); and (d) Mr Liam Winter (planning – conditions). Walking and cycling in the context of AT’s transport planning and investment 9. AT is a Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) of the Auckland Council charged with contributing to an “effective, efficient and safe Auckland land transport system in the public interest”.1 The development, maintenance and promotion of the walking and cycling network all fall within this role. 10. Transport policy both in the Auckland context and nationally has reached a broad consensus in favour of a multi-modal approach to transport planning and investment including substantial investment in walking and cycling infrastructure. It is now widely recognised that walking and cycling can: (a) Provide a viable alternative to the private car for a variety of trips, particularly access to jobs and schools; (b) Provide safety benefits to all road users; (c) Make more efficient use of existing transport assets; and (d) Offer significant health and environmental benefits. 1 Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009, section 39. 20958869_4 3 11. In particular, the following strategic planning and policy documents demonstrate this broad consensus in favour of walking and cycling investment: (a) The Auckland Plan, which sets the target of completing the Auckland Cycle Network (ACN) (which is discussed further below) by 2030 and achieving a 45% mode share for non-car based trips at the morning peak; (b) The AT Statement of Intent (SOI), which sets out specific targets for cycling trips to the Central City, and cycling trips regionally, along with a target for the delivery of new cycleway infrastructure; (c) AT’s Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP) which includes an accelerated programme for the delivery of the ACN in the 2015- 18 period; (d) The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport Funding which includes investment objectives on transport choices and safe cycle networks; and (e) The National Land Transport Programme (NLTP), which earmarks over $250 million nationally for the walking and cycling activity class. 12. The ACN was developed by AT as the long term aspirational plan for cycling in Auckland, and identifies a comprehensive region-wide hierarchy of cycle routes to be delivered. The Auckland Plan sets a target of delivering 70% of this network by 2022, and the entire network by 2030. 13. AT’s current 2015-18 Walking and Cycling Programme provides for over $200 million for walking and cycling infrastructure, which is sourced from Auckland Council, the NZTA and Crown funds via the Urban Cycleway Fund (UCF). This funding provides for the delivery of 52.4km of the ACN during the 2015-18 period. This includes $4 million for local board walking and cycling initiatives and $4.5 million to deliver new footpaths across the region for the same period. 20958869_4 4 14. AT is working with Auckland Council and Local Boards across the region to deliver a programme of Greenways. These are local routes that support walking and cycling to local destinations, and utilise quiet streets, parks and natural assets. They provide recreational opportunities, along with improved travel choice. The majority of walking and cycling trips currently made in Auckland are recreational and this programme is aimed to make it easier and more attractive to be active. Auckland Transport’s forward programme for walking and cycling 15. AT, in conjunction with the NZTA and Auckland Council, are in the process of developing a joint Programme Business Case (PBC) for investment in walking and cycling at a regional level to set out the next priorities for investment beyond the current 2015-18 programme. This follows the earlier development of a Strategic Case for investment in walking and cycling which was completed in March 2016. The PBC is currently scheduled to be signed off by the AT and NZTA Boards in July 2017. 16. The PBC prioritises according to Investment Logic Mapping (ILM) and Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) (see Attachment A) which takes account of factors such as safety, access to jobs and schools, health inequalities and deliverability. Against these criteria, the project area for the EWL is not a sufficiently high priority to justify being included AT’s programme for the 2018-21 period, though Onehunga and Mangere Bridge are identified as longer term priorities for investment in future funding programmes. 17. I note for the avoidance of confusion that a number of proposed walking and cycling improvements are being funded as part of the Auckland-Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) and the Frequent Network 32 (FN32) projects. These are discussed further at paragraphs 19(d) and 21. 18. While some walking and cycling facilities exist in the area and are well used (such as the Waikaraka Cycleway), there are significant gaps in the network throughout the project area and limited ability for local people to access key destinations by bicycle or on foot. As such, AT 20958869_4 5 strongly supports the NZTA’s proposed delivery of significant walking and cycling infrastructure through the EWL project. The East West Link in the context of Auckland Transport’s walking and cycling plans 19. I note from the evidence of Mr Andrew Murray for the NZTA that the project provides for over double the linear length of walking and cycling facilities in the project area compared with the existing network.
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