Editorial: Time to watch council coffers

The council is to debate whether or not to widen Harbour Drive foot path at a cost of $20,000.

Tauranga City Council should resist the temptation to placate a vocal minority by spending more than $20,000 widening a footpath along Harbour Drive.

Cyclists and pedestrians have been at odds over the footpath in Bureta, with groups petitioning the council after it decided to ban cyclists from using it in June. Commentators have also been drawn into the debate.

Some have suggested the path can be shared and the dispute can be resolved by the use of "manners" on both sides.

Others have argued it boils down to traffic laws and cyclists should simply stay off footpaths.

Harbour Drive resident and cyclist Phil Simpson launched a petition opposing the ban, gathering 118 signatures.

Another Harbour Drive resident, Stewart Taylor, launched a 250-strong counter petition requesting the footpath remain pedestrian only, which will be formally received by the council today.

The council is to debate whether to widen the path to 3m to create a shared cycle and pedestrian walkway.

That will cost about $45,000, with the council responsible for paying $21,150 of that. The reminder would be funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency.

I hope common sense prevails.

Given the city's high debt levels, there is an expectation the council will be prudent when considering how best to spend ratepayer funds.

Surely this money could be better spent on more pressing infrastructure projects.

Yes, it's illegal to ride on city footpaths, but this one is wider than most and there is plenty of room for a cyclist to go around a walker safely.

It's ridiculous to suggest the council needs to spend such a sum when a bit of courtesy and common sense could solve this problem.

This, of course, would cost the city nothing.