Re: Wellington to Hutt Valley Cycle Catch-up - Quarterly Meeting notes 2 March 2022
From: Patrick Morg
an <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, 2 March 2022 1:06 PM
To: Adrienne Blac
k <[email address]>
Subject: Wellington to Hutt Valley Cycle Catch-up - Quarterly Meeting notes 2 March 2022
Hi Adrienne,
thanks for running the meeting. It's a feat to get everyone in the room.
A valuable exchange of info.
We'll discuss the call for cycling reps for the proposed Riverlink liaison group and be in touch.
If it helps, I took some notes. Feel free to use these when you compile the minutes.
--
Patrick Morgan
Project Manager
CAN – Cycling Action Network
Tel s 9(2)(a)
twitter: @patrickmorgan @CyclingActionNZ
2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Be our tailwind – donate today. Join us: http://can.org.nz/ Find us on Facebook More people on bikes, more often
Wellington to Hutt Valley Cycle Catch-up - Quarterly Meeting
2 March 2022 via Teams
Agenda
Out of Scope
Out of Scope
Out of Scope
Petone – Melling Adrienne – re shared underpass safety concerns, the design is locked in. Walkers won't be
banned. No intention to revisit this.
Gene – will we learn from this?
Simon – useful for Weltec access. Unlikely to have got funding for a separated underpass.
Marco – flooding. Engineer told him rain destroyed the pump. New pump coming. Need to
remove arsenic first.
Scales Lane crossing
Adrienne – met Kiwirail on the process for getting a crossing. Not easy. Will keep pushing.
Optgions are bridge or underpass, but $$. Could be other options.
Gene – it's an important link. Absence of a crossing is a safety issue.
Out of Scope
Out of Scope
Out of Scope
2.
Underpass south of Petone Station.
1. You have completed a safety audit given the conflict inherent in this design. Such an
audit is very limited – it does not consider alternates, nor the impact of “safety
improvements” on the overall objective of the project.
2. The alternative of making the underpass cyclist only was therefore not considered. We
think this alternative is better – that is making the underpass cyclist only and the nearby
existing underpass at Petone Station pedestrian only – cyclists and pedestrians both have
a strong preference for separation. There is also precedent in this vicinity of other
pedestrian excluded routes (eg McKenzie Ave bridge, and the cycle path north of the
station).
3. Could you please explain your rationale for maintaining this as a shared route compared
to our suggestion.
1.
Path through the Petone Station car park. We have now reviewed the safety audit. Our
frustration is that a safety audit does not consider the objectives of the whole corridor – so, even
thought the proposed safety improvements (effectively a “slow zone”) compromise the efficacy of
the whole corridor, other alternatives remain unconsidered. We accept alternatives would require
agreement from GWRC – but they should therefore be in the room. As an analogy, safety at the
Melling intersection could be significantly improved by making it a “slow zone” (say of 50
kmph). But this would compromise the whole corridor for cars and so a very expensive,
multiagency alternative is being proposed. Why can’t this thinking also apply to people who
cycle?
2.
Dowse Interchange:
1. Dowse is a key potential connection point for the Te Ara Tupua path. Dowse is therefore
one of the critical success factors (a significant lever) to make Te Ara Tupua even more
successful.
2. Dowse is the closest connection for Alicetown (pop 3,000), Woburn (pop 1,800), and
Waterloo (pop 5,400 – at least until Riverlink is completed). It could also be a preferred
route for people in north and east Petone, and potentially Moera. That’s 15,000+ people
who could make good use of this connection onto Te Ara Tupua, via Wakefield St and the
Ava rail bridge, if a safe and convenient connection existed. These suburbs are well
within the “easy-orbit” for e-bikers into Wellington.
3. The current plan of negotiating two multi-lane round abouts and motorway on and off
ramps is better than nothing - but only just!! It is profoundly off-putting for all but confident
road riders.
4. So we would like to see Scales Lane progressed.
1. We accept it’s a multiagency issue. Kiwirail is concerned about safety – but does
not consider the higher risks for cyclists on alternate routes compared to a well
constructed rail-crossing. HCC and Waka Kotahi will of course want the other to
foot the bill.
2. The Wakefield St/Hutt Rd intersection would need work – either with a cycle
refuge in the middle, a pedestrian/cycle crossing, signals, etc.
5. But ….. this is a substantial opportunity to improve returns on your huge investment in Te
Ara Tupua at a very small marginal cost. We need something more than “it’s hard but
we’l talk about it”. How do we together get the right thing to happen?
Out of Scope
Patrick Morgan
Project Manager
CAN – Cycling Action Network
Tel s 9(2)(a)
twitter: @patrickmorgan @CyclingActionNZ
2 Forresters Lane, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
Be our tailwind – donate today. Join us: http://can.org.nz/ Find us on Facebook More people on bikes, more often
RE: Scales Lane level Crossing
Adrienne Black
To Eddie Cook, Alan Gilbert, Jennifer Forret
Cc Shaun Bullard
Thanks Eddie – Good to know.
@Jennifer – are you free to catch up next week about this?
Thanks all, I appreciate the help here.
A
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
From: Eddie Cook
<[email address]> Sent: Friday, 4 March 2022 8:00 AM
To: Adrienne Black
<[email address]>; Alan Gilb
ert <[email address]> Cc: Jennifer Forret
<[email address]>; Shaun Bullar
d <[email address]> Subject: RE: Scales Lane level Crossing
CAUTION: The sender of this email is from outside Waka Kotahi. Do not click links, attachments, or reply unless you
recognise the sender’s email address and know the content is safe.
Kia ora Adrienne
As you are applying for a new pedestrian level crossing, you will need to contact Jenn Forret (ccd) from
KiwiRails Property Team.
There is a new level crossing application process that the Cycleway owner will need to go through.
Jenn can provide advice on the new level crossing application requirements.
Regards,
Eddie Cook | Senior Level Crossing Engineer CPEng, CMEngNZ
Ph:s 9(2)(a)
Level 2, Wellington Railway Station, Bunny Street, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 593, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Backbone of integrated transport networks
Please consider the environment before printing
From: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Sent: Thursday, 3 March 2022 4:40 pm
To: Alan Gilbert s 9(2)(a)
; Eddie Cook
<[email address]>
Subject: Scales Lane level Crossing
CAUTION EXTERNAL EMAIL: Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the
content is safe.
Hi Alan and Eddie
Shaun Bullard kindly pointed me in your direction as the best people to talk to regarding pedestrian level
crossings.
Are you two free to catch up next Friday 11th March something after 11am?
As a bit of context, as part of the Petone to Melling Cycleway in Wellington we have been asked
repeatedly from the community for a connection onto the cycleway from Hutt Road at Scales Lane (image
below). This wil require crossing the Melling Line. I’m hoping to get an idea of the process you go through
to assess the safety risk of pedestrian level crossing and the possibility of a new level crossing being put
in at this location. I’m aware you have a policy of not allowing any new level crossings but wondering if
there is a workaround here given the low frequency of train trips on the Melling Line.
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/place/Scales+Lane,+Alicetown,+Lower+Hutt/@-
41.2171812,174.88169,420m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x6d38aba35025cfb9:0xb4cf456e900739cd!8m
2!3d-41.2171812!4d174.8824204
Thanks in advance for your time here.
Ngā mihi
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Regional Principal Transport Planner - Wellington and Top of the South, System Design
Transport Services
Email
: [email address]
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Majestic Centre, Level 7, 100 Willis Street
PO Box 5084, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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Adrienne Black
To James Wratt
Thanks James
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
From: James Wratt <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, 25 February 2022 9:20 AM
To: Adrienne Black <[email address]>; Simon Kennett <[email address]>
Subject: RE: Scales Level Crossing
Hi Adrienne, Simon
I’ll add it to the LCLR long list. Not sure how well it will prioritise. Let me know if KiwiRail is ok with the
idea.
James Wratt (he/him)
Multi-modal Advisor, Programme & Standards
Transport Services
Email
: [email address]
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Majestic Centre, Level 7, 100 Willis Street
PO Box 5084, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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From: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Sent: Friday, 25 February 2022 6:57 am
To: Simon Kennett
<[email address]>; James Wratt
<[email address]> Subject: Re: Scales Level Crossing
Thanks for sharing this pic!
Yea a connection here would actually be great.
I'll reach out to KiwiRail to start the conversation.
A
G
et Outlook for iOS
From: Simon Kennett
<[email address]> Sent: Thursday, February 24, 2022 3:43:41 PM
To: James Wratt
<[email address]> Cc: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Subject: Scales Level Crossing
FYI, the 2009 Google Streetview image shows the Scales Lane level crossing just after it was closed.
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-
41.2167654,174.8820611,3a,25.5y,308.29h,81.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s255ZWWUhFPbyZokwwKKIPA!
2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Trains go half-hourly, on weekdays only, but I suspect KiwiRail will still want an electronic gated crossing.
Note that this could connect Te Ara Tupua nicely to a cycling facility on Wakefield St (which features on
HCC’s micro-mobility network plan).
Simon Kennett (he/him)
Principal Multi-modal Advisor, Programme & Standards
Transport Services
Email
: [email address]
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Majestic Centre, Level 7, 100 Willis Street
PO Box 5084, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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_________ _____________________________________________________________
Shaun Bullard
To Adrienne Black
Hi Adrienne,
I could do 9:30-10 next Tuesday.
Happy to have a chat, but would you be able to provide some context prior?
I should point out that KiwiRail’s policy with any new permanent crossings is that they are grade
separated.
Regards,
Shaun Bullard | Wellington Metro Performance Manager
MOB: s 9(2)(a)
154 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, 6035 | PO Box 30-995, 5040, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
www.kiwirail.co.nz
Please consider the environment before printing
The content of this message and any attachments may be privileged or confidential. If you
have received this email in error please notify the sender and delete the email - unauthorised
use is expressly prohibited. This email may have been corrupted or interfered with. KiwiRail
does not warrant that this email and its contents are free from computer viruses or other defects.
From: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Sent: Friday, 25 February 2022 1:21 pm
To: Shaun Bull
ard <[email address]> Subject: RE: Level crossing - Scales lane
Great, thank you.
Are you free next Tuesday before 10am or after 3.30pm for a quick call?
A
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
From: Shaun Bull
ard <[email address]> Sent: Friday, 25 February 2022 10:16 AM
To: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Subject: RE: Level crossing - Scales lane
Hi Adrienne,
Yes I should be able to help you out, or point you in the right direction if I can’t.
Regards,
Shaun Bullard | Wellington Metro Performance Manager
MOB: s 9(2)(a)
154 Hutt Road, Kaiwharawhara, Wellington, 6035 | PO Box 30-995, 5040, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
www.kiwirail.co.nz
Please consider the environment before printing
From: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Sent: Friday, 25 February 2022 10:08 am
To: Shaun Bull
ard <[email address]> Subject: Level crossing - Scales lane
Hi Shaun
I would like to talk to someone at KiwiRail about the possibility of a level crossing near scales lane in the
Lower Hutt. Are you the right person for me to be reaching out to? I recall you were involved in a
conversation about a level crossing at Manor Park a while back.
Thanks for your help.
A
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Regional Principal Transport Planner - Wellington and Top of the South, System Design
Transport Services
Email
: [email address]
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Majestic Centre, Level 7, 100 Willis Street
PO Box 5084, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
twitter | youtube | facebook
From: Jennifer Forret <[email address]>
Sent: Friday, March 4, 2022 9:29:15 AM
To: Adrienne Black <[email address]>; Eddie Cook <[email address]>; Alan
Gilbert s 9(2)(a)
Cc: Shaun Bullard <[email address]>; Alex Myrissi-Philips
<[email address]>
Subject: RE: Scales Lane level Crossing
Good morning Adriene,
As I am sure you’re aware, level crossings (both vehicular and pedestrian) are acknowledged
internationally as introducing high safety risks to all users of the rail network. KiwiRail has, as you’ve
pointed out, a policy of no new level crossings due to this increase in risk, and are actively endeavouring
to reduce the number of level crossings throughout the network through closure and grade separation,
to reduce the associated risk.
KiwiRail’s accepted preference is for grade separated access to cross the rail corridor.
An application for a new level crossing will only be approved as an exception to this safety policy in
exceptional circumstances, where an overall reduction of existing risk to the rail network can be
demonstrated. This reduction of risk generally involves the removal of one or more existing level
crossings in preference for a safer location. Any application would also have to demonstrate why a grade
separated option was not possible. An LCSIA to support this is generally required.
In my experience, and based on the information provided, an application for a new level crossing at this
location would not be permitted.
If you believe that this proposed pedestrian level crossing would qualify as an exemption to the no new
level crossing policy, and is able to both provide an overall reduction to risk on the network and justify an
inability for a grade separated alternative, please let me know and I can advise you how to make an
application.
Ngā mihi,
Jen
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Regional Principal Transport Planner - Wellington and Top of the South, System Design
Transport Services
Email
: [email address]
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Majestic Centre, Level 7, 100 Willis Street
PO Box 5084, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
twitter | youtube | facebook
Thanks Shaun
Yes I had heard this was the current policy at KiwiRail.
Basical y, we’re wanting to explore how we can better connect people in Alicetown and Surrounding area
to the Petone to Melling cycleway. A connection at Scales Lane would be ideal.
I appreciate there is a policy in place to avoid new level crossings but wanted to have a chat about this
particular case.
Thanks in advance for your time. I’ll send an invite through for Tuesday.
A
G
et Outlook for iOS
Hi Adrienne
I think there was (form an early stage in the design) going to be breaks in the barrier at the off-ramp and
on-ramp to allow southbound road cyclists to by-pass Dowse interchange. The $500K scope change is for
something extra.
About three years ago the advocates (Timon and Gene) requested that they also be able to ride from the
cycleway to the Dowse roundabout (and vice-versa) so that there was some level of connectivity to
Alicetown and the western hills at that point. One of the early designs had provision for that, but at a cost
of about $3M (i.e. deemed unaffordable).
Gerry and I put together a case for a less expensive connection (that will work for experienced riders who
might otherwise stick to the highway or Hutt Rd) and Sharleen ran with it. That’s the $500K scope
adjustment. Here’s a picture of the movement that enables, onto the Dowse off-ramp:
Yellow is riders going from Te Ara Tupua to nearby suburbs (via the roundabout). Green is for the highway
riders who just use the bypass.
That’s similar to what’s achieved at the on-ramp:
This ended up being more expensive that we expected as the main path had to be raised and pushed
towards the rail lines in order for the tights turns to be a reasonable radius and gradient.
No doubt the advocates will point out that Dowse roundabout is no good for ‘Interested but Concerned’
riders. True, but neither is the roading environment beyond the roundabout. That will change if HCC
succeeds in putting a facility along Wakefield St.
Cheers,
Simon
From: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Sent: Thursday, 24 February 2022 5:55 PM
To: Simon Kennett
<[email address]>; Gray Renwick
<[email address]> Cc: Joel Rowan
<[email address]> Subject: RE: Wellington to Hutt Valley Cycle Advocates - Meeting Prep
Thanks Simon
In terms of your comment about the connection from P2M to Dowse costing about $500K. Is the referring
to the southbound connection that’s been added into scope?
Also, you’re right about their other comments on P2M – we’ve been over it a couple of times n
ow. @Gray,
I can handle that convo so you don’t have to attend this meeting if you would rather not..
A
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
From: Simon Kennett
<[email address]> Sent: Thursday, 24 February 2022 1:05 PM
To: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Cc: Gray Renwick
<[email address]>; Joel Rowan
<[email address]> Subject: RE: Wellington to Hutt Valley Cycle Advocates - Meeting Prep
Kia ora Adrienne
I’ve dumped some thought (in blue) in to the doc, while it’s fresh in mind.
Gray – I’ve included my thoughts about their P2M comments.
Out of Scope
Cheers,
Simon
From: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Sent: Wednesday, 23 February 2022 5:52 PM
FYI, the 2009 Google Streetview image shows the Scales Lane level crossing just after it was closed.
https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@-
41.2167654,174.8820611,3a,25.5y,308.29h,81.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s255ZWWUhFPbyZokwwKKIPA!
2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Trains go half-hourly, on weekdays only, but I suspect KiwiRail will still want an electronic gated crossing.
Note that this could connect Te Ara Tupua nicely to a cycling facility on Wakefield St (which features on
HCC’s micro-mobility network plan).
Simon Kennett (he/him)
Principal Multi-modal Advisor, Programme & Standards
Transport Services
Email
: [email address]
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
Majestic Centre, Level 7, 100 Willis Street
PO Box 5084, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
twitter | youtube | facebook
From: [email address] <[email address]> Sent: Saturday, 11 December 2021 4:59 PM
To: Adrienne Black
<[email address]> Cc: 'Gene Clendo
n' <[email address]>; 'Timon Bakker'
<[email address]>; 'Patrick
Morga
n' <[email address]>; [email address]; 'Larri Wallbridg
e' <[email address]>;
Gray Renwick
<[email address]>; Simon Kenne
tt <[email address]>;
Sharleen Hanno
n <[email address]>; Joel Rowan
<[email address]> Subject: Petone to Melling - Scales Lane
A follow up to our last meeting –
I’m really saddened with your decision to pass putting in a link at Scales Lane (on the Petone to
Melling path) to the Hutt City Council.
We’ve tried throughout this project to emphasize the importance of linkages onto this key arterial route
– Dowse is a classic example. The breaks in the barriers on SH2 that you agreed to provide allow
entry/exit for SH2 cyclists – but for the MANY potential cyclists in Alicetown and across the Ava rail
bridge (Waiwhetu and Moera)– a four lane flier-over to access the path is a show stopper.
Key linkages – as with the state highway network – on a project such as this should be NZTA’s
responsibility. On Transmission Gully, you’ve built an interchange at Cannons Creek and at
Haywards so it forms part of a connected network. You haven’t left it to the local authority.
So – to decide that this key link is HCC’s responsibility lacks consistency, and while you will see it as a
“get out of jail free card”, it undermines the effectiveness of this welcome trail. You’ve also built a
robust and detailed working relationship with Kiwirail in delivering this project – it doesn’t make sense
to pass this off to a new party.
I think we’re al the losers. Please could you think again?
David
_________ _____________________________________________________________
Just a note of clarification here.
We’re not looking to pass this on to Hutt City Council, and it hasn’t been droppoed off our list of things
to address. However, as Sharleen noted, a level crossing here would require agreement from
KiwiRail, funding, and a connection into the local network. We intend to work with Hutt City Council to
work through these things.
Thanks
Adrienne Black (she/her)
Phone: s 9(2)(a)
Mobile: s 9(2)(a)
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
