Some months ago the Mt Victoria Residents Association wrote to the NZ Transport Agency proposing that the pilot tunnel drilled alongside the main Mt Victoria road tunnel in the 1970s should be put to use - specifically, that the pilot tunnel should be re-fitted to allow pedestrians and cyclists to use it, thus escaping the noise and fumes in the main Mt Victoria tunnel.

This seems like an eminently sensible idea. The pilot tunnel runs parallel to the main tunnel on the opposite side of Paterson Street, and it would provide a much better experience for pedestrians and cyclists alike if it were made available. Car traffic in the main tunnel would also benefit, as it would allow the existing pedestrian walkway to be removed and the lanes widened. In fact, it's hard to see a downside. Even the costs seem reasonable, with lighting and ventilation upgrades for the pilot tunnel likely to be a tiny fraction of the $175 million the NZ Transport Agency is currently budgeting for a second road tunnel.

The pilot tunnel runs on the far side of Paterson Street, above the main tunnel, and starts near the clump of trees in the middle of the photo.

Now the local Green MPs (Co-Leader Dr Russel Norman, Gareth Hughes and Sue Kedgley) have thrown their weight behind the idea, and have written to the NZ Transport Agency to express their support. According to their letter to Agency head Geoff Dangerfiled, "Wellingtonians are the highest users of public and active modes of transport in the country and this trend will be enhanced if ideas such as [MVRA committee member] Mr Palmer's cycle and pedestrian pilot tunnel are embraced."

So far the NZ Transport Agency has remained silent on what they think of the proposal, other than to decline to answer specific questions under the Official Information Act. This really isn't good enough, as the changes proposed would be a cheap, effective and welcome improvement to Wellington's transport network - and surely it's the job of the Transport Agency to make exactly these kind of upgrades.