Report cites corridor issues (+video)

A report into safety issues regarding Rotorua's controversial Green Corridor has been released, revealing some significant concerns with parts of the original route.

The report, dated November 24 last year, was produced by Robinson Transportation Consulting of Mt Maunganui and was done after the Green Corridor was officially opened on October 8.

The majority of the report's recommendations have now been actioned by the Rotorua Lakes Council, and apart from minor changes to directional signage and "share with care" issues, seven inner city Green Corridor crossings were painted red and four were converted to pedestrian crossings with red and white stripes.

Along with issues and inconsistencies with signage and road markings across the entire route, the report found "significant" problems with unprotected bicycle crossings on Pukuatua St and Ranolf St.

With regard to Pukuatua St, the report stated the original green painted route across the street "tends to give a false impression to cyclists and perhaps pedestrians that they have priority over motor vehicles, when legally the opposite is true".

The issue was similar on the Ranolf St crossing with the report recommending red and white pedestrian crossings be installed or the green painted road markings removed at both sites.

Rotorua Cycle Action co-chairman David Crowley said the changes would improve safety along the route.

"It was obvious some changes were necessary. The green paint across the road gave the impression that cyclists had right of way."

He said the red only crossings also stood out as a warning and "something to look out for and cyclists will know they do not have right of way".

The council's transport and waste solutions director Stavros Michael said the safety measures were only introduced last weekend because "the report needed to be supplemented with user behaviour observation post completion".

"Safety monitoring is an on-going process for the whole of the transport network. That's why council dedicates $500,000 each year for minor safety improvements."

Mr Michael said the pedestrian crossings were completely legal.