Submission on the Draft Development Management Strategy for Kapiti Coast District Council, October 2006

Policy 2.6(g) Roading Hierarchy

The term “Traffic” presumably includes foot traffic, cycling traffic, motorized scooter traffic and wheelchair traffic.

Yet the Policy 2.6 (g) and your comments and bullet points re finalizing the hierarchy makes no mention of such traffic. The terms used “importance of certain streets and roads in terms of handling traffic flows and volumes” indicates that you are talking about motor vehicle, truck and bus traffic.

Under point 1.5 global Change and Risks you list bullet points that will affect or influence the Development Management Strategy, one of these points is:

• “need to design the transport network to provide people with choices around passenger transport, cycling and walking. “

We also refer to 2.6 Major Transport Systems and Access Linkages Policy 2.6(a) which states:

• “Increases the range of transport mode choices;”

If the Council is truly serious about sustainable transport the hierarchy must be re-written to include the following within urban development in the order of importance from top to bottom:

1. Foot traffic
2. Cycling traffic
3. Disabled traffic
4. Motor vehicle traffic.

Policy 2.6 (f) Cycleway, Walkway and Bridleway Strategy — Indicative Network

We commend Council for the work done in this area, but we wish to highlight that there is as yet no Urban Cycling Network of commuter and school routes in any of the town centres to ensure the perception of safety and take up of cycling for transport.

We quote from 1.3 Sustainable Development Principles

• “An action should increase the resilience and adaptability of the community to external “shocks’ changes and pressures.”

Providing safe routes for cycling can help people in the community to adapt to the changes happening right now with regards dwindling resources, climate change and economic changes. It can also help the young in the community to delay the purchase of motor vehicles.

2.5 Rural Lands Policy 2.5(a)

We strongly support this policy.