Pedestrian Strategy

November 2005

The pedestrian vision is to “Increase walking in Nelson." Walking makes up 18% of all trips in Nelson. Every journey we make involves a small component of walking. 

Walking is the highest participation recreational activity across all age groups. Improved pedestrian facilities encourage active mobility and improve community health and wellbeing. The needs of mobility impaired require recognition and facilities need to cater for all users including elderly, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and visually impaired.

This strategy establishes a plan to achieve the vision and aims to increase the number of commuters in Nelson who walk to 15% by the 2011 census and increase the number of residents who walk for recreation for all age groups within five years.

The main actions established to increase walking and physical activity in Nelson are:

• Missing link survey, showing all the gaps in our footpath and walking network by December 2006
• Continue investment in the footpath construction programme and eliminate the current backlog of 23km of streets without any footpath within 10 years
• Progressively upgrade walkway lighting and signage to create a safe night environment for walkers where appropriate
• Undertake a plan change to require all new subdivisions to have a walking plan detailing how they provide for recreational and commuter walkers
• Undertake a plan change to ensure all new roads in subdivisions include walkway connections at cul-de-sac heads where appropriate
• Complete the Central Business District Safer Route Study and the Inner City Safety Study by 2006 and continue the Safer Journey to School Programme
• Central Business District lighting upgrade by June 2006
• Complete the Nelson Tasman Physical Activity Plan by April 2006
• Ongoing walking promotion through the schools and road safety education
• Utilise esplanade reserves and city parks to enhance recreational walking opportunities

Download

Download the Pedestrian Strategy 2005 (355KB PDF).