AT announces four new cycle routes

Four new proposed routes will be completed in the greater Grey Lynn area by the end of 2018. Photo/FILE

Four major new cycling and walking routes have been announced by Auckland Transport.

The planned cycling routes are in the inner west suburbs of Westmere, Grey Lynn and along Great North Rd, and will also include bus and footpath safety improvements.

AT Cycling, Walking and Road Safety manager Kathryn King said the project was beginning of further transport plans for the area.

"The routes are a combination of protected cycleways, on-road cycle lanes and traffic calming measures to make cycling and walking safer and more convenient," King said.

King said the project's initial public consultation earlier this year garnered thousands of suggestions for improvements.

"We know that more than 60 per cent of Aucklanders would cycle more often if safe cycleways were built. Working with the Government and Auckland Council, we are responding to that demand with these new routes."

Some bus stops will be improved or moved along Great North Rd, and the bus lane will be extended.

AT is seeking public feedback on the proposed routes, which will be completed by the end of 2018.

Transport Blog's Patrick Reynolds said he was very supportive of the planned routes.

"This is fantastic - a few years ago there was no budget and hardly any routes," Reynolds said.

"It's great they're expanding further out of the CBD."

He said AT's cycling network was developing well, aided by NZTA's Urban Cycleways Programme.

He said the $200m programme gave AT the funding to make necessary changes despite some land ownership and public opposition difficulties.

The plans are for a new cycleway and improvements to the bus route along Great North Rd; another cycleway up Richmond Rd to Surrey Cres; a third on Garnet Rd, Old Mill Rd and Surrey Cres; and improved connections between the already completed routes in Grey Lynn Park and Cox's Bay Reserve - this route will continue up Grosvenor Rd to Great North Rd.

AT said further public consultation for all routes is open until Sunday 9th October via at.govt.nz/haveyoursay.