We have been working along side Matakana Coast Trail Trust to prepare a submission to the AT Regional Land Transport plan. This process has taken a considerable amount of time and effort.
Submission Process
We noted quite early on that the have your say feedback site made no provision for comments other than in response to the questions posed by AT. Once AT were made aware of that we were given an email address where these comments could be sent. You can email your submissions to daniel.mccabe@at.govt.nz
Our Submission
Our submission focusses on a few major points.
Auckland Council staff have not included the Pūhoi to Mangawhai Trail (which includes our proposed Snells Beach to Warkworth trail) in the RLTP and thereby completely failed to understand that:
- It would provide genuine cycling commuter options for workers and students between Warkworth – Matakana – Snells Beach, all rapidly urbanising areas
- It provides the most cost-effective option per km to grow Auckland’s cycling network
- AT have failed to provide walkers and cyclists with a safe active mode transport option in Auckland most dangerous roading area thereby completely failing to live up Auckland’s Vision Zero Strategy
We request that Auckland Transport incorporates into the planning framework the following:
- Mandatory consideration of connections for walking and cycling with all new subdivisions. This includes taking into account the proposed Matakana Coast Trail and the Rodney Local Board Greenways Plan for our area.
- Proactive support from AT for ‘Corridor Security’ or ‘Creating Connectivity’ for all routes both on road and off road across multiple land tenures.
- When support is requested by Matakana Coastal Trail Trust or the Mahurangi Trail Society, that request is given a higher priority it might currently have. We need your timely support in building a world class trail.
- The ability to request timely expert advice on dealing with road-trail interfaces as these are identified. e.g.
- where an off-road route crosses an existing road
- where the trail may be in the road corridor
- identifying locations suitable for bus stops or public transport access
The Matakana Coast Trail initiative is a low cost, low risk, highly deliverable opportunity that provides many beneficial outcomes to our local communities. The planned Matakana Coast Trail is so closely aligned with the objectives of the RLTP we urge you to include it officially in the RLTP. We will be attracting significant funding from alternative sources.
You can download a copy of our submission here.
Submissions close in a few days on 2nd May.