Waterloo Station to Lower Hutt City Centre

Consultation on this stage of the project has concluded. Please keep an eye on this page for updates.

• Narrowing down a preferred route...

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  As well as undertaking technical assessments to check the practicalty of all possible routes, we worked with key stakeholders to talk about the opportunites and challenges of the different options.

  Things that we looked at:

  • traffic volumes
  • number of intersections
  • variety of transport options currently being used
  • sites of cultural, heritage or environmental significance
  • how would it intergrate with future projects like Riverlink
  • location of underground services like water mains, storm and waste water pipes and electrical cables
  • the route makes sence as a direct connection to where they want to go
  • will the route encourage increased participation in active travel choices (for all ages and abilities)
  • intergration with the overall transport system
  • does it offer an opportunity to enhance the image of the street and support the revitalisation of the city
  • ease of construction

  
  

  This map shows the various routes that were considered:

  

  
  

  After that investigation phase we identified a preferred route of Birch Street & Waterloo Road (B).

  
  

  Here's what we know:

  • this route provides a direct connection to two schools, business and retail, and the planned Riverlink area
  • there’s an opportunity to create a further connection to the civic precinct including the War Memorial Library and The Dowse
  • it avoids the bus interchange on Bunny Street
  • it is possible to improve pedestrian safety issues by adding safe crossing points at key spots
  • opportunities to connect with Riverlink projects
  • it has fewer intersections that bikes would need to cross
  • less issues with vibration, and the road has less camber (compared to Knights Road) which makes it easier and safer to bike and scoot along

  
  

  Here's some examples of what's possible:

  • this route could offer improved footpath space, two-way bike lane, street tree planting and carparking
  • Birch Street could become a neighbourhood greenway where bikes can share the street with vehicles in a 30km/hr area

• Birch Street & Waterloo Road

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  Here's what we know:

  • this route provides a direct connection to two schools, business and retail, and the new Riverlink area
  • there’s an opportunity to create a future connection to the civic precinct including the War Memorial Library and The Dowse
  • it avoids the bus interchange on Bunny Street
  • it is possible to improve pedestrian safety issues by adding safe crossing points at key spots
  • opportunities to connect with Riverlink projects
  • it has fewer intersections that bikes would need to cross
  • less issues with vibration, and the road has less camber (compared to Knights Road) which makes it easier and safer to bike and scoot along

  
  

  Here's some examples of what's possible:

  • this route could offer improved footpath space, two-way bike lane, street tree planting and carparking
  • Birch Street could become a neighbourhood greenway where bikes can share the street with vehicles in a 30km/hr area

  
  

  Features of a one-way network:

  • will be easy to access in both directions
  • will provide good separation from vehicles
  • intuitive and easy to use

  
  

  Features of a two-way network:

  • is wider so can accommodate parents and children to rise side-by-side, more people can ride when it's busy and allows space for passing
  • can provide a physical separation from vehicles, such as a rasied kerb

  
  

  Here's some other improvements we will look at:

  • Narrowing intersections to reduce crossing distances for people walking
  • priority for people walking and biking at intersections
  • updated traffic signals to give separate phases for different users

• The Knights Road cycleway trial

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  In mid-2020 the cycleway trial along Knights Road (funded by Waka Kotahi) was approved to stay in place for 12 months, and, as advised, further technical assessments and engagement was undertaken during this time so we had sufficient information on hand before making a decision on a permament fixture.

  What we learned from the trial was some signifcant challenges particularly around ease of use, how it interacted with intersections/side streets along the route and the condition of the road itself, which led to us considering alternate options.

  
  

  Here's what we learned:

  • Cyclists still found sharing the road with vehicles dangerous
  • removal of parking was too restrictive
  • there were concerns about vehicles parking in the cycleway
  • footpaths are currently of poor quality