Cambridge Connections
Cambridge Connections feedback is in and if the 509 responses are anything to go by, there are no easy answers to the town’s transport problems.
Several Cambridge Connections submitters disliked the cycleways, like this one nearing completion in upper Duke Street. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
With all ‘third’ bridge options off the table for the business case following uproar about an intended “blue blob” location through the town, Waipā council asked the community to comment on any transport improvements they could see.
The three options mooted were managing congestion, improving transport choices and enhancing transport choices. It was the latter – known as Option C and originally the council’s preferred one – which garnered the most feedback.
That had a bridge going across the Waikato River from the Town Belt in Leamington across the river to Cambridge’s south-western suburb, depicted under a blue blob.
Seventeen of the 376 responses the council received liked that location because it was closer to town and was good for Leamington residents.
Other feedback included request for a bus service between Cambridge and Te Awamutu, a park and ride service to cater for out of towners who work in Cambridge and more consideration of Leamington’s needs.
Some people thought out of the square with one suggestion being to make Victoria Road between Alpha and Duke streets a car free zone.
Complaints included a lack of parking in the town centre and too many cycleways.
The News has long argued for on and off ramps at the Tīrau Road interchange and readers listened telling the council it would produce a critical enhancement to move traffic around town.
Transportation planner Rachel Algar told the committee the Cambridge Connections project team would need to further analyse the feedback and consider the outcomes of an independent review ordered by mayor Susan O’Regan.
The council will submit a funding business case to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency by October.
The creation of cycleways and roundabouts and the felling of trees upset some Cambridge Connections submitters and opponents. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
