14 December 2012

New greenways cycling and walking connections proposed for Waitemata

Waitemata Local Board has allocated $150,000 towards creating a network of ‘greenways’ to provide safe cycling and walking connections.

The public will be asked for their feedback on the plans during February.

As well as offering safe, high-amenity routes, particularly for schools, greenways also increase recreational opportunities and deliver environmental benefits through expanding habitats for native wildlife.

At its meeting this week, the Board approved prioritisation of proposed routes that have a high level of demand and are linked to other planned works. The development of a draft Greenways Plan was a key initiative to emerge from the Waitemata Local Board Plan.

Connections proposed for development in the first phase of the project include:

• Grey Lynn Park to Cox’s Bay Reserve
• Meola Reef to Victoria Park via a coastal greenway
• The new Parnell Station to Pt Resolution and a connection to Newmarket via the old Parnell rail tunnel
• Western Park to Arch Hill
• Connecting Ponsonby with Victoria Park and Cox’s Bay Reserve.

In anticipation of a greenway connecting Cox’s Bay Reserve to Grey Lynn Park and the North Western Cycleway, the Board agreed in August to top up a parks renewal budget to widen Cox’s Bay boardwalk. That work will commence in March next year.

“While the Board has allocated $150,000 over three years, it won’t sign off on the priority routes until consultation with the community and stakeholders has been completed,” says Waitemata Local Board deputy chair Pippa Coom.

“We will also work with Auckland Transport to secure funding for the road elements of routes that form part of the Auckland Cycle Network.

“There is strong community support for safe connections that help people, particularly children, to be more active and I think greenways can make a huge difference to the way we get around.

“We are excited about the Greenways Plan, but public feedback is critical to getting the network right.

Creating a greenway through Auckland’s oldest rail tunnel might prove to be one of the more challenging projects, but board member Rob Thomas is confident the results would be worthwhile.

“This is an opportunity to provide an off-road walking and cycling solution connecting Newmarket with Parnell and the city centre,” he says.

“As a first step, the Board is proposing to commission a study to determine whether the Parnell rail tunnel can be safely reopened.”

A longer-term, aspirational network requiring the completion of major infrastructure projects and additional funding is also being looked at.

ENDS

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