Media Release
Transit New Zealand
Napier Regional Office
Media Release
16
July 2008
New cycleway a
milestone for Hawke's Bay walkers and cyclists
Today marks a milestone for Hawke's Bay pedestrians and cyclists, with the
announcement that Transit New Zealand's State Highway 2 Waitangi Stream Bridge
Cycleway clip-on is now open for public use.
The cycleway project is a big boost for pedallers and pedometers alike in the
region by making it easier and safer to cycle and walk between Napier and
Hastings.
The new cycleway links the Rotary Pathways of the Napier and Hastings regions as
part of Project Pathways, a regional initiative that has involved Transit New
Zealand
, the Hastings District Council, the Napier City Council, the Hawke's Bay
Regional Council, and the Napier and Hastings Rotary Pathway Trusts.
Previously there was no dedicated pathway for walkers and cyclists on the busy
Waitangi
Stream
Bridge
. Transit began installing the clip-on facility in March this year and it will
be open for the public to use from today onwards.
"Hawke's Bay is one of the most active, outdoor-loving regions in the
country, and that's reflected by this fantastic network of pathways for
cyclists and pedestrians," says Transit regional manager Rob Bramley.
"This new cycleway clip-on will mean people can walk or cycle on the
combined pathway networks between
Hastings
and Napier, and vice-versa,"
"It's been a real pleasure working together with the councils, the Rotary
Pathway Trusts, and of course the local community to make this happen."
Mr Bramley says that while the cycleway is a proud achievement for Transit and
the region, it is not quite "mission accomplished".
"We're
also committed to completing the link from the
Waitangi
Stream
Bridge
to the Clive township, and so over the next year we will be investigating the
options for a new cycling and walking pathway."
Transit is also installing a temporary cycleway/pathway over the beach near the
Waitangi
Washout
Bridge
(
Tutaekuri
River
) further north, which will provide a safer alternative to crossing the bridge.
The replacement bridge is programmed for construction within the next three
years, incorporating permanent pedestrian and cycling facilities.
Mr Bramley thanks Opus International Consultants and Downer EDi Works for
respectively designing and constructing the clip-on cycleway, and he pays
special tribute to Alan Watton, who championed Project Pathway in his roles as
Roading Manager for the Hastings District Council, Trustee of the Napier Rotary
Pathway Trust, and Project Manager on this Waitangi Stream clip-on project,
before he passed away in 2007.
Project Pathway is a comprehensive 10-year project which aims to link Napier,
Hastings, Clive, Havelock North and the coastal settlements to an integrated
system of cycleways and pathways through the Heretaunga Plains.
For more information please contact:
Rob Bramley
Regional Manager
Transit
New Zealand
Tel 06 835 1750
rob.bramley@transit.govt.nz
