Controversial Green Corridor may be demolished

The future of the controversial Green Corridor is up in the air and could face demolition, it has been revealed, less than four years after it opened.

The decision to demolish the cycleway may be made despite Rotorua Lakes Council being told there had been a 36 per cent rise in commuter cycling in Rotorua since 2016.

The council's Operations and Monitoring Committee recommended a review of the functionality of the inner city transport network and the removal of the Green Corridor at today's meeting.

Rotorua's Frank Murray crosses Tutanekai St at one of four new Green Corridor pedestrian crossings in 2016. Photo / File

This was supported unanimously, moved by mayor Steve Chadwick and seconded by committee chairman Charles Sturt.

Infrastructure group manager Stavros Michael said "demobilising" the Green Corridor would first require a safety review.

Prime Minister John Key rides part of the Green corridor after announcing more funding for the Rotorua Cy-Way project in 2015. Photo / File

He said reducing speed limits within the inner city would be consistent with other CBDs around the country and would mean the Green Corridor was no longer relevant.

This would include a speed reduction to make sharing the roadway with cyclists safer.

Speed reductions would be part of a process which would include public consultation, he said.

Hundreds enjoyed the fun at the Green Corridor parade in 2015. Photo / File

The Green Corridor was officially opened on October 8, 2015, however, the almost 2km pathway was plagued with controversy after 50 inner city car parks were removed for its installation.

Funding for the $442,000 project was shared between New Zealand Transport Agency and the council. It was developed in conjunction with the Inner City Focus Group and Cycle Action Rotorua.

The green corridor between Tutanekai St and Amohia St on Haupapa St.

Discussion on the Green Corridor's fate followed an update on the continued development of the city's urban biking and shared path network.

Safe and Sustainable Journeys manager Jodie Lawson told the committee 26km of the urban network had already been completed.

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Lawson said further cycleways and shared paths planned for construction over the next several years, including as part of New Zealand Transport Agency upgrades along Te Ngae Rd, would complete a comprehensive and connected network.

Following an intensive period of construction, Lawson said there was now time to reflect and review and to consider what might no longer fit with the current framework.