Walkway for Tirau approved

After an 18-month delay Tirau will finally receive its walkway – connecting residents to the town’s domain.

Project manager Cliff Burling-claridge said the design work for the bridge, railway pedestrian crossing and track route was now well in hand at the southern entrance to Tirau.

Burling-claridge said the walkway has to cross over a railway line and obtaining approval from Kiwirail was a lengthy process.

‘‘Council was reluctant to progress other elements without the Kiwirail approval for the crossing as the project would have been unable to go ahead without the crossing.’’

The project was one of 15 $5 million community and economic development projects that were approved in 2014.

Burling-claridge said the council committed this money from its investment fund and no ratepayer money would be used.

‘‘We called for submissions and projects from the community. Ultimately 15 projects were funded. The Tı¯rau Community Board applied for

‘‘The walkway contributes to the health and wellbeing of the T¯ırau community.’’