Petone to Wellington path just the beginning, advocates say

The Great Harbour Way – Te Ara o Poneke Trust began advocating for a cycle and walking track all the way around Wellington Harbour in 2008.

The Great Harbour Way Trust says achieving commitment from NZTA to build a dedicated cycleway from Petone to Wellington is very welcome but just the beginning. The section between Ngauranga and Petone was always going to be the hardest gap to close. This will be transformational for the livability of the Wellington region by making easy connection on foot or two wheels for commuters as well as recreational and tourist users. The route connects Wellington to the Hutt River Trail then Rimutaka Incline and over to the Wairarapa to produce a cycle trail to rival the best that New Zealand has to offer.

"The gap between Petone and Ngauranga was always been a stumbling block," said spokesperson Alastair Smith. "This announcement means Wellington and Hutt councils and Greater Wellington should move fast to improve the rest of the route."

Smith also urged NZTA to start the Petone to Ngauranga section sooner than 2019. "Cyclists and walkers need this now, not in five years. The distance is not very great, and the path will encourage commuting and recreational cycling between the urban areas of Hutt and Wellington.

A feasibility study commissioned from Boffa Miskell in 2009 sets out all the work to be done to make the route a reality.

"The Great Harbour Way will be an economic and tourist boost to the region, and a key part of the active transport network," Smith said.

ENDS

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