Thursday 14 February 2013

Council approves consultation on draft concept for Coastal Pathway

Christchurch City Council today approved the draft concept plan for the proposed Christchurch Coastal Pathway to be released for community consultation, with the exclusion of the two pathway options in front of waterfront properties. They also decided to include the Sumner Esplanade section for enhancements in the draft concept plan.

Consultation is expected to begin in March.

Work on the concept plan and feasibility study for the proposed six-kilometre pathway got underway in August 2012 as a community partnership between the Council and the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group.

Award-winning landscape architects Wraight Associates, were commissioned to lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver the draft concept plan.

The proposed pathway will cater for children, pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders and people using scooters and wheelchairs and is planned to connect Ferrymead to Mt Pleasant and on through Redcliffs, finishing at the end of Scarborough Beach in Sumner.

City Planning Unit Manager Brigitte de Ronde says the draft concept plan provides a sound basis for considering the implications and benefits of providing a coastal pathway in this area. It will also enable the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group to explore funding opportunities.

"The estimated cost of the pathway is around $26 million, although the exclusion of waterfront options may reduce this estimate. This figure includes construction of new sections of boardwalk, seating, lighting and landscaping, but does not cover work currently underway such as Ferrymead Bridge and Main Road three laning, or SCIRT's repair and rebuild programme in the area.

"At this initial stage the Council has made no commitment to the funding or construction of the pathway concept. While the plan outlines specific design elements and treatments for areas along the proposed route it is very much stage one of the project. There are still further investigations that need to be included, such as funding, site investigations and more detail on designs. However, the early delivery of the draft concept plan will enable the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group to move forward with their fundraising, should they wish to do so," she says.

Mayor Bob Parker says the draft concept plan delivers the possibility of a stunning recreation asset for the city.

"The plan captures the aspirations of local communities and has developed these into an accessible, safe pathway that makes the most of our magnificent coastline. It is anticipated that each year over 1 million people city-wide, as well as visitors, will benefit from this pathway. Whether they are cycling, walking, accessing the waterways or simply enjoying the remarkable views - this pathway has the potential to emerge as one of the city's finest recreation assets.

"We are now at a stage where we need to hear from the wider community and I encourage people to get involved and have their say," he says.

Christchurch Coastal Pathway Project background
The Council provided initial funding and project management to enable the project to go ahead. The project budget for this stage was $50,000 which was allocated for this purpose in the Annual Plan. The Coastal Pathway, from Ferrymead to Sumner, was identified by the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board as its priority capital project because of its significance to the community and to recovery in the area. The Board granted discretionary response funding to the Christchurch Coastal Pathway Group towards organisational support for the Group.

To view the draft concept plan for the proposed Christchurch Coastal Pathway as presented to the Council click here.

For more information: www.ccc.govt.nz/coastalpathway

ENDS

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