SkyPath funds pledged

Labour has pledged a major funding boost for SkyPath - a proposed walking and cycling crossing for the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Announced as part of Labour’s walking and cycling policies, $30 million would be committed towards the construction of SkyPath.

It would be clipped to the city side of the bridge, giving Aucklanders the ability to walk and cycle across the Waitemata Harbour for free.

This would top up $33m in investment already funded by a public-private partnership.

Labour’s transport spokesman Michael Wood said the current Government had shown support for SkyPath but was yet to provide funding. So far, the resource consent process had been approved but there was still work to be done around the ‘‘technical design’’ of SkyPath.

Wood told media he couldn’t commit to when the project would be built but the ‘‘money would be put up straight away’’.

If SkyPath required more funding than the committed $30 million, Wood said they’d consider charging overseas tourists to use it.

Projects such as this were essential in encouraging people to walk and cycle safely around their communities, Wood said

‘‘SkyPath will be good for our health, good for our environment and good for Auckland,’’ he said.

Bike Auckland welcomed the promise.

HUGH COLLINS/STUFF Labour’s transport spokesman Michael Wood says $30 million to build SkyPath would be committed under a Labour Government.