Cambridge pathway
What’s happening
In December, it was announced safe walking and cycling in Cambridge had been given a massive boost. Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency has invested close to $12.8 million in our district to offer more transport choices and help people opt safely out of cars. Of that, $7.2 million will be spent on a new shared pathway in Cambridge with an additional $3 million from Council funding.
We’re building a new pathway that will link existing paths, help children get to school and create safer, greener neighbourhoods for all of us.
The project will include building a two-laned pathway (for pedestrians and wheeled transport such as bikes and scooters). It will go down Grey Street and Clare Street to join the existing Hamilton Road pathway and will continue down Bryce Street to Duke Street, along Wilson Street to Victoria Bridge.
Detailed Cambridge pathway maps - (scheme plans, updated following first round of feedback)
Pathway construction
Construction started on 11 October 2023 and is expected to take nine months to be completed. The works will be done in stages to minimise the disruption.
Current works
Bryce and Queen Streets intersection closed
We are building a new roundabout at the intersection of Bryce and Queen Streets, that will tie into the new pathway, and provide a safer thoroughfare for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
We will close the intersection of Bryce Street and Queen Street at night on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April. We will be working between 7pm - 5am. We will be completing milling and asphalt work. The night works will minimise the impact on commuters in the area during peak travel times.
There may be increased construction noise during the night while we are completing this work. We will try keep the noise to a minimum, but we will need to use some machinery including a bobcat for milling and asphalt trucks. There may also be additional light outside, to ensure there is good visibility for our crews. However, we will do our best to not flood properties with these additional lights.
Alpha Street and the intersection with Bryce Street
Work will start on Monday 15 April on Alpha Street and at the intersection with Bryce Street.
- The intersection of Alpha Street and Bryce Street will stay open to traffic while the new roundabout is being built. This will make it a safe place for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
- Two-way access will also remain on Alpha Street between Bryce and Hall Streets. Most of the work will happen under a shoulder closure.
Construction is expected to be completed in June.
Map of works
- The blue area indicates the current road closure on Bryce Street, between Queen Street and Alpha Street, which is expected to open at the end of April.
- The pink area indicates the shoulder closure on Alpha Street starting Monday, 15 April.
- The yellow areas indicate the current road closures on Bryce Street, Lower Duke Street, and intersection closure of Dick Street/Duke Street.
- The green area indicates the location of the new roundabout at the Alpha/Bryce intersection. Please note this intersection will remain open.
Dick Street/Duke Street intersection closure
The intersection of Dick Street and Duke Street will be closed from Monday 18 March until late May to allow construction work to progress for the new shared pathway and boardwalk on Duke Street. Residents, visitors, businesses (their staff and clients) and service providers will continue to have access to Dick Street from the Alpha Street intersection. There will be a traffic controller at the intersection of Alpha Street and Dick Street to assist traffic and pedestrians.
Provisions are in place for emergency vehicle access to these areas and recycling/rubbish collections will run as normal. These road closures will be in effect 24/7. The hours of work will be 7.30am – 6pm on weekdays, and 7.30am – 1pm on Saturdays. No work will occur on Sundays or public holidays. Please refer to the map on the following page to see where the road closure will be.
Duke Street closure, between Bryce and Wilson Street
For us to safely progress works, the section of Duke Street between Bryce Street and Wilson Street, will also be closed from Monday 18 March until late May. Access for residents, businesses, visitors and service providers will be maintained. We will have a traffic controller on-site to assist traffic and pedestrians.
Provisions are in place for emergency vehicle access to these areas and recycling/rubbish collections will run as normal. These road closures will be in effect 24/7. The hours of work will be 7.30am – 6pm on weekdays, and 7.30am – 1pm on Saturdays. No work will occur on Sundays or public holidays. Please refer to the map on the following page to see where the road closure will be.
Bryce Street closure, between Queen and Alpha Street
On Monday 26 February, the next section of Bryce Street, between Queen Street and Alpha Street, will be closed for construction of Cambridge’s new pathway.
These works are expected to be completed by mid-May and will follow on from the first section of Bryce Street, between Hamilton Road and Queen Street, being completed and the road re-opened.
During this time, residents and service providers will have access to the area.
The road closures will be in effect 24/7. Our hours of work will be 7.30am – 6pm on weekdays, and 7.30am – 1pm on Saturdays. No work will occur on Sundays or public holidays.
Map:
- The orange area indicates the road closure on Bryce Street that is expected to open on Tuesday 20 February.
- The red area indicates the section of Bryce Street that will be closed from Tuesday 20 February, and is expected to be completed by Saturday 30 March.
Pathway extension – Clare and Grey Street north
Plans were approved, by the Service Delivery Committee on Tuesday 20 February, to turn Hamilton Road and Grey Street north intersection into a full cul-de-sac and extend the Cambridge pathway on Clare and Grey Street to help Cambridge Middle School students bike, walk or scooter safely to school.
This decision follows consultation in October last year that received over 170 submissions through an online and hardcopy survey, a drop-in session and a workshop with Cambridge Middle School students.
The main changes from feedback included:
- Clare Street will remain a two-way street
- Grey Street from Hamilton Road to Williams Street will be made cycle friendly
- All pedestrian crossing points and footpaths will be enhanced
- Traffic calming and low-speed traffic zones will be installed
- The northern leg of the Hamilton Road/Grey Street intersection will have the left turn exit lane removed to become a full cul-de-sac.
The Ministry of Education, Bicycle Revolution Cambridge, Cambridge Community Board and over 70 percent of submissions were in favour of Grey Street north becoming a full cul-de-sac.
Grey Street, from Hamilton Road to Williams Street, will be different to the rest of the pathway project, and become a cycle friendly street.
The detail
We are investing in safe walking, scootering, and cycling infrastructure in Cambridge to make it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle in Cambridge.
A shared pathway is planned to start on Grey Street outside Cambridge Middle School to connect with Hamilton Road pathway and be extended to Bryce Street. It will continue down Bryce Street to Duke Street and carry along Wilson Street until Victoria Bridge, with an additional pathway on Alpha Street to connect Te Awa River Ride pathway and the new pathway.
The project involves building a two-laned pathway (for pedestrians and wheeled transport such as cycles and scooters) along one side of each of the roads identified above.
This project has secured $7.2 million in funding from Waka Kotahi as part of their $350 million Transport Choices package which helps create greater transport choices for people across New Zealand.
Once consultation feedback has been analysed and changes have been, the final plans will be reported to the Service Delivery Committee in June 2023 and works are expected to begin July 2023.
Background
There has been a strong desire from our community to transition towards a transport model that supports alternative transport modes, such as walking and cycling. Residents of all ages and abilities want to be able to travel in our main urban areas safely and conveniently, without the need for a car. It also responds to strong government direction around climate change and specifically reducing carbon emissions.
This project is about making changes to streets so they are safer for all modes of transport to get around.
The Waipā District Council Long-Term Plan 2021-2031 includes an investment of over $10 million towards projects such as Cambridge Pathways. The funding from Waka Kotahi - NZ Transport Agency was part of its Transport Choices Package which is included in the Climate Emergency Response Fund.
A Governance Group for the project has been formed and meets regularly to establish a shortlist of priority options for Waipā’s walking and cycling network. A Reference Group has also been formed and given the opportunity to comment on the options. The role of these groups are to be champions of their towns and community groups, to share their opinions and point of views on cycle and pathways and advise how they believe it will impact their community.
The Governance Group has considered feedback from both the Reference Group and Community Boards, and at its meeting of 17 August 2022 made a decision around proceeding with the two projects at Kihikihi and Cambridge, which have been approved by the Council’s Service Delivery Committee.
Terminology
Bus Stop: a designated marked spot where a bus regularly stops for passengers to get on and off.
Shared pathway: A path provided for use by both cyclists and pedestrians, with motor vehicles being legally excluded.
Traffic calming: a range of techniques used to manage road users and the road environment to ensure speeds are appropriate to the local environment and the safety of other road users.
Roundabout: a road junction at which traffic moves in one direction round a central island to reach one of the roads converging on it.
Cul de sacs: a street or passage that is closed for vehicular movement at one end.
Signalised crossing: A signalised crossing provides priority for cyclists and pedestrians through the use of traffic signals. Short periods of time are allotted to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road and vehicles travelling along the road.
Raised safety platform: elevated sections of the road that help reduce vehicle speed.
Media releases
- Community in favour of new cul-de-sac and pathway extension, 20 February 2024.
- Construction advances on Cambridge's new pathway, 10 January 2024.
- Construction kicks off for Cambridge’s new pathway, 10 October 2023.
- Pathway extension to help kids get to school safely, 18 September 2023.
- Green light for Cambridge walking and cycling path, 20 June 2023.
- Work speeds up on safe cycleways, walkways, 20 February 2023
- Government to pour millions into Waipā walking and cycleways, 4 December 2022