Cycle and walkway mooted to link small communities

Plans for a challenging 90km dual off-trail cycle and walkway between New Plymouth and Ha¯ wera, linking up with smaller communities, are gathering momentum.

The proposed route would use small country roads, paper roads and historic forest tracks along the Egmont National Park boundary and the existing rail corridor to link smaller communities with tourism opportunities.

Sport Taranaki chief executive Howie Tamati said a report by Lincoln University, in conjunction with Walking Access New Zealand, had put forward a strategy on how the idea could develop eventually into a full round the mountain route.

The report was discussed at a Regional Transport Advisory Group (RTAG) meeting in October, and had the support from Taranaki’s three district councils, as well as Venture Taranaki and the Taranaki Regional Council. While TRC would support the plan, the district councils would take responsibility for any infrastructure construction, the RTAG meeting heard.

However, it would require a single independent body to drive the plan and present a business case for funding, possibly from the Provincial Growth Fund, or New Zealand Transport Agency, Tamati said.

‘‘Sport Taranaki would like to be involved because it fitted with the organisation’s aims but we don’t have the resources to do it alone,’’ he said.

Tamati said a possible off-trail route had been identified by a joint council working party from New Plymouth to Lake Mangamahoe and linking with Kent Rd, Forest Rd and Pembroke Rd to Stratford to join the rail corridor to Hawera. ‘‘The next step is to do a feasibility study to find out how viable the route would be, what maintenance would be required and where funding can be sourced from.’’

Stratford District Council roading asset manager Steve Bowden said the planned route would take cyclists and walkers off State Highway 3, between New Plymouth and Hawera. Once the main route was established, further trails could be developed along the Forgotten Highway 43, or towards Opunake, using disused rail networks.

All groups involved will meet again in late January.