Strategies & masterplans

After extensive planning, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun construction of a nine-year, $700M+ series of projects, the Christchurch Roads of National Significance (RoNS).

Andrew, Jeanette and Megan have developed an automatic cycle counting programme for Christchurch City Council (CCC). The project identifies approximate site locations, counter types, time frames and indicative costs.

Walking and cycling are popular forms of recreation within the Taupo District due to the many events, temperate climate, and mostly gentle topography. Events encourage locals to take up cycling or walking as a sport or recreational activity and are important generators of business and tourism.  However, most transportation is done by car.  A strategy which sets the Council's strategic direction for recreation, tourism and transport is considered a key planning document to assist in achieving a "Walking and Cycling Friendly District".

The need for a regional cycle network had been identified in previous Environment Canterbury studies and strategies.

Tony Quickfall has successfully obtained resource consents for a number of projects in Kaikoura, including a 22 lot residential subdivision, motel extension, and a concrete plant combined with a landscape supplies business. 

He is currently working on obtaining resource consents for a comprehensive housing development of 9 units on Scarborough Street. 

ViaStrada has assisted in the development of Kaikoura's first walking and cycling strategy. The strategy was developed with a series of three stakeholder meetings, facilitated by Megan Fowler. The stakeholder group consisted of members from the Kaikoura District Council (both officers and councillors), NZTA, OnTrack, DOC, CCS Disability Action, Te Runanga o Kaikoura, Te Tai o Marokura, Tasman Regional Sports Trust, Canterbury DHB, Environment Canterbury, NZ Police and the Kaikoura Youth Council.

Walking and cycling strategies are useful tools that aid councils in providing for pedestrians and cyclists. In 2005, earlier research found that 36 strategies were held by 30 different councils throughout New Zealand. A stocktake of all current walking and cycling strategies was undertaken. This revealed that there are now 61 strategies prepared by 55 different councils (out of 85).

The Waimakariri District Council (WDC) commissioned ViaStrada to undertake a high level assessment of the possible western bypass options for Woodend and in particular to determine whether the conclusion reached by Transit, to eliminate further consideration of the full western options, was sound.

The need for the assessment had arisen from the Council expressing concern, that the four options Transit New Zealand presented to the community in July 2007 are not the only viable options.

ViaStrada researched continuous cycle counting technology for the New Zealand Transport Agency. By "continuous" we mean counts of a few months duration or longer. Shorter-term counts (days or weeks) are probably best done by conventional rubber tube cycle counters, although this decision may best be made based on value for money of the various options. The aim is to provide road controlling authorities and others in New Zealand with information on the effectiveness and availability of these tools.

Environment Bay of Plenty asked a number of consultants to bid on the development of a regional walking and cycling strategy in September 2007. We won the tender and have since held three intensive stakeholder meetings to refine the strategy. Participation included all six district councils, Land Transport NZ, Transit NZ, two district health boards, the police, Sport BOP and a local cycling advocacy group, Cycle Aware Tauranga.