The Nelson coastal cycle route is set to receive $20.3 million in funding in an announcement made today by transport minister Simon Bridges.
The cycleway will be accelerated with funding from the Urban Cycleways Programme.
“The Nelson Coastal Route will receive $3 million from the Urban Cycleways Fund, along with $12.82 million from the National Land Transport Fund and $4.52 million from local government,” Mr Bridges says.
The route and type of cycleway along with staging, costs and funding will be informed by wider network planning in Nelson over the next 12–18 months.
Nelson mayor, Rachel Reese, says Council’s successful partnership with the Transport Agency is a great opportunity to leverage for additional funding.
“This funding is not available to be used towards any other transport initiatives – it is specifically to be set aside for cycling.”
“Our success in securing this contestable funding is testament to Council’s ability to compete on a national level.”
“This money wouldn’t be coming into our region otherwise, so it really is a great result and a further example of how we can put Nelson on the cycling map,” she says.
Transport Agency Central Regional Director Raewyn Bleakley says the improvements will provide better connected facilities, give workers and school students a safe and healthy transport choice, and also help to improve traffic flow by reducing the number of cars on the road during busy times.
“Nelson is quite simply one of the best places in the country to get around on bike or on foot, and we’ve seen the community continue to flock to cycling as a popular way to travel. Together with Nelson City Council, we have an opportunity to provide a cycle and pedestrian facility along the waterfront and through to Tahunanui that will be a real asset to the city and its people.”
“Cycling is a key priority for the agency. Getting more New Zealanders cycling will connect people with a greater range of employment, education and social opportunities and contribute to a more environmentally sustainable future for our transport network,”
The project is among 41 nationwide. The Government’s $100 million Urban Cycleways Fund is designed to pull together a range of funding sources, and will result in a total investment in urban cycleways of $333 million over a four-year programme.
Nelson has the highest percentage of people walking and cycling to work. 18% according to the 2013 census.
