The NZ Transport Agency has added three extra information sessions to ensure as many people as possible can have their say on how to improve Nelson’s arterial transport network.
These sessions are in addition to the four that were announcement as part of the Programme Business Case engagement process for the Nelson Southern Link Investigation (Investigation) on 23 March. The engagement period runs for five weeks, finishing on 24 April.
The Investigation was launched in 2015 after being brought forward as part of the Government’s Accelerated Regional Roading Package.
NZ Transport Agency regional director Raewyn Bleakley says she is pleased with the turnout so far and with people’s willingness to engage about the future of Nelson’s road network.
“So far over 150 people have come along to the information sessions to give us feedback. Our team on the ground have also been taking emails and phone calls from people who can’t attend the info sessions in person. We want to hear about what approaches people think could solve Nelson’s two transport issues of accessibility and congestion. These are significant challenges for the Nelson community to consider,” Ms Bleakley says.
In addition to this Saturday’s session at Richmond Library from 10am – 1pm, these extra information sessions are:
Feedback is also being sought on the development of walking and cycling options for Rocks Road as this and the NSLI are closely linked.
“We encourage people to tell us what they think and there are a variety ways that they can do this. They can come along to an information session or have their say by filling out the form which is available at the Nelson Public Libraries or via the Transport Agency’s website by 24 April,” Ms Bleakley says.
“Everyone’s feedback will be taken into account along with other important criteria. We’re looking for all ideas at this stage.”
Additional information and an online feedback form can be found on http://www.nzta.govt.nz/nelson-southern-link(external link) as well as at the Nelson Public Libraries, and the Richmond Library during their opening hours. People can also phone 0508 NSL INFO / 0508 675 4636 or email nelson-southern-link@nzta.govt.nz
The Nelson Southern Link Investigation Strategic Business Case was released in December 2015, providing a high-level analysis that identified two key problems for Nelson’s arterial routes – congestion and accessibility. Congestion is a problem in peak hours on Nelson’s two arterial routes and results in travel delays. Accessibility is an issue for walking and cycling in Nelson as the current infrastructure on SH6 Rocks Road is constraining walking and cycling opportunities.
The second stage in the NSLI is the development of a Programme Business Case, which is underway now. There is one public engagement period as part of this stage. Feedback received during public engagement will help to determine the final programme which could be progressed to the next business case stage, if approved.
The Programme Business Case is expected to finish later this year and it will include a recommended approach for addressing the problems and improve the transport network.
Before any options identified in the final approach can be progressed there are two further important phases of the business case approach to complete; the Indicative Business Case (stage three), which is designed to sharpen and narrow down to one or two preferred options to be further developed, and the Detailed Business Case (stage four), which will confirm a final option in more detail.
Each phase of the investigation is subject to funding approvals, which determine if it will proceed to the next stage. It also provides a reasonable level of certainty that it will meet any relevant consenting requirements.
The public will be given the opportunity to be involved at each stage of the process.
