New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough and Councillor Damon Fox met at Parliament this week with ACT’s Local Government spokesperson and MP, Cameron Luxton, to discuss the Tim Tam cycleway barriers and thank him for his support in raising the issue with the Minister of Transport.
Waka Kotahi NZTA has confirmed that if Council decides to alter the controversial barriers, none of the original project funding would need to be repaid. NPDC is now working to understand the full cost implications of any changes and to ensure the best outcome for ratepayers.
The $3.8m project, funded through the previous Labour Government’s climate emergency programme, has faced strong public criticism for removing car parks, contributing to accidents and slowing down emergency services.
A community-led survey by local businessman Shane Devlin, supported at the time by then councillors Max Brough and Murray Chong collected over 7,000 signatures, with more than 98% calling for the barriers to be removed.
Cr Damon Fox, endorsed by ACT Local and newly elected to the New Plymouth District Council, raised the issue with Luxton and said the barriers show ideology overriding practicality.
“I grew up biking these streets daily, so this isn’t about being anti-cyclist,” says Fox. “But we can’t have cars squeezed together and emergency services slowed down in order to socially engineer drivers into cyclists. It doesn’t work.”
Brough says that with full Council ultimately responsible for the decision, the process needs to be thorough.
“Our job right now is to make sure every option is explored. Council needs clear information so any decision made is the right one for ratepayers, both now and in the long term.”
“We can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. We’ve seen what happens when projects like this are rushed, and we’re committed to getting this right,” says Brough.
NPDC staff are currently preparing alternative options, which will be presented to Councillors for deliberation.
