Eltham Road’s path forward: barrier-free cycle lanes

Cyril Dawson had to see it to believe it.

As a Marlborough District Councillor representing the Blenheim Ward, he knew about plans under development to renovate Eltham Road – namely, the kerbed cycle lane that runs along Whitney Street School toward Maxwell Road.

Visualising a streetscape from design renderings is one thing. Walking the route offers a different perspective. So, last Tuesday afternoon, Marlborough Roads System Manager Wayne Oldfield met the councillor by the school for a descriptive tour.

After striding to Maxwell Road, crossing the mouth of Eltham and turning to head back, Cyril gave his take: “Brilliant!” He gave a thumb’s up sign – later, two thumbs up.

“I’m liking what I’m seeing and hearing,” he told the roads manager. “And so do 90 per cent of Blenheim residents.”

The decade-old cycle lane has been a burr in the saddle for Eltham drivers pinched by the narrowed roadway, especially during drop-off and pick-up times at the school that abuts Blenheim Playcentre. Wayne said he had only received one complaint about the redo as of that point.

Eltham not only is a route for Whitney students but also Bohally Intermediate and Marlborough Girls’ College. In place since 2017, the bike route separates cyclists and pedestrians from motor vehicles.

Council announced the project on 11 February. Work could begin as early as Easter.

What’s the plan?
The Marlborough Roads manager got granularly specific with the councillor but also offered an overview of the plan for both sides of Eltham.

On the eastern side next to the school and playcentre, changes will start about a dozen metres from Carr Street, whose landscaped corner bulb-out will remain. The kerb barriers will go; lines will direct cyclists to the side of the road.

Ahead of the school entrance, the cycleway will merge into the portion that currently runs off the road. At the protected “zebra” crossing, bikers either can cross to the western side to travel the other direction or continue on the eastern side toward Maxwell.

The western side will have a cycle lane for its length. Marlborough Roads will recontour the wedge between left turns for bikes and cars off Maxwell but keep the tree-lined island median.

“It’s good for me, good for Council, good for ratepayers to see what’s going on along Eltham Road,” Cyril said.

Moments later, a man walking his dog approached and asked, “Can we know what is happening?”  The councillor gave a quick explanation, to which the man replied, “It’s about time.”

Visit www.marlborough.govt.nz for more details.