Eltham Road cycle lane set for alterations

As the school year progresses, students in Blenheim will see a different look along a popular route. Marlborough Roads announced on Wednesday that the Eltham Road cycle lane is set for alterations that could start as early as Easter.

The plan calls for an in-road cycleway which will keep some existing features – but not the raised concrete separators, as the work reinstates the road on the eastern side.

Marlborough Roads System Manager Wayne Oldfield said that "a painted cycle lane will be created intermittently along Eltham Road in both directions which is in-keeping with other cycle lanes across Marlborough. We are also looking at returning roadside parking, with localised no parking lines around the school crossing and at Carr Street, and improvements around the zebra crossing."

The cycle lane, in place since 2017, separates cyclists and pedestrians from motor vehicles along the thoroughfare. It runs next to Whitney Street School and Blenheim Playcentre; it also leads students to Bohally Intermediate and Marlborough Girls’ College.

"School students do cycle along Eltham Road so we want to ensure a safe route is available for them," Wayne said. “We also want to encourage the public to cycle the Taylor River Reserve shared pathway as this is a great way to get off the busy streets."