Concern about planned bus depot at Shelly Bay Road
This letter to the editor appeared in the 27 June edition of the Dominion Post.
Wellington City Council commenced public consultation in April to upgrade the road from Miramar Cutting to the proposed Shelly Bay development including safe walking and cycling. NZ Bus has applied for resource consent to build a bus terminal beside Miramar’s Burnham Wharf.
This is the premier cycling road in Wellington – flat, and today used by few vehicles. It is a vital component of the Great Harbour Way trail which encircles our beautiful harbour and is also a much-valued asset for the whole city.
We are alarmed that a multitude of buses will join convoys of trucks to threaten this route for over a decade should the Shelly Bay development proceed. Any narrow cycle and walk-way on the roadside adjacent to the depot will be dangerous.
If the bus terminal is consented on this prime waterfront site, safety will only be possible if the trail is put on the water’s edge away from road traffic.
We believe that no work should be started on the Shelly Bay development or the bus terminal until safe access is assured for walkers and cyclists on the Great Harbour Way.