2011-2012 Annual Report - Full Version - PDF - Palmerston North ...

EnvironmentalSustainability... What the Council Does Roading And ParkingWhat happened in the yearThe Council’s Roading Activity has again completedanother year which has seen infrastructure installedto encourage the use of alternative transportoptions with programmes implemented whichsupport both passenger transport and cycling.The installation of additional bus stop facilities ofshelters and concrete board pads has supportedthe continued growth in passenger transport usewith numbers of passengers continuing to climb.The further extension of the lime cycle pathsaround the stream stopbanks on the north andwestern sides of the city have encouraged furtherrecreation use by both cyclists and walkers/joggers resulting in positive comments from thecommunity. These have been further enhancedby the construction of underpasses on threebridges resulting in users of the path not having tocontend with traffic. The continued constructionof the cycle/pedestrian path on Railway Roadfrom Tremaine Avenue to Roberts line has furthercomplimented the work undertaken during the2010/11 year and provides good access to theNorth East Industrial Area.Council’s road safety activity is primarily focussedon monitoring and responding to crash trendsoccurring over time, with particular emphasisgiven to crashes involving vulnerable road users.Engineering interventions involving safety ratehighly for financial assistance through the NewZealand Transport Agency and form an importantpart of the Council’s response. Additionally,Council staff are involved in community basedregion-wide road safety initiatives promotedby Horizons Regional Council, who coordinateroad safety activities on behalf of Council. Theprimary focus has been on development of anupdated Road Safety Action Plan that focuses onthe outcomes specified in the Safer Journeys RoadSafety Strategy. Within this work has continuedin making our roads safer particularly at thoseintersections with an unacceptable crash rate orexperiencing high levels of delay. The constructionof a number of round-abouts continues to gaingood support from the community. The removalof the round-about at the intersection of Cuba/Taonui/George Streets has been replaced witha facility that substantially enhances this areafor pedestrian activity guided by urban designprinciples. The inclusion of the fifth streetsculpture at this site has created further interestand encouraged adjacent development activity.To date, one route has been approved for themovement of High Productivity Motor Vehicle(HPMV’s) for the cartage of quarry material fromTe Matai Road to Maxwells Line following a studyof the pavement integrity. The pavement studyof the proposed routes has been undertaken toidentify areas of weakness which will require tobe addressed before HPMV use. The study of thestructures is still being undertaken.A big effort was put into updating the RoadingActivity asset management plans during the year.These detail the expected operating, renewal anddevelopment costs over the next 50 years thatoptimise the “whole of life” costs whilst maintainingthe existing level of service. The outcomes of thisdocument informed the draft 2012/22 10 Year Plan.A big effort was put into updating theRoading Activity asset managementplans during the year. These detailthe expected operating, renewal anddevelopment costs over the next50 years that optimise the “wholeof life” costs whilst maintaining theexisting level of service.An investment audit was undertaken by the NewZealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to provideassurance that their investment in the Council’sland transport programme was being wellmanaged and is delivering value for money, andto seek assurance that the Council is appropriatelymanaging risk associated with NZTA’s investment.They concluded that the network was in very goodcondition and well managed and presented littlerisk.A number of capital programmes have not beencompleted this year partly as a result of delaysbrought by the community during the consultationphase and partly by insufficient quality time spenton investigation and analysis.94 Palmerston North City Council Annual Report 2011/12