Revamp of walkway to start soon

Work on a riverside walkway that gets up to 900 walkers and cyclists a day is to start next week.

Blenheim’s Taylor River pathway was first developed in the early 2000s and needs a revamp to keep up with demand.

The pathway project is set to begin on Wednesday, June 3 and will see the existing path that runs between the Beaver Rd and Monro St footbridges widened to 3 metres.

Grading work on the side of the pathway will be carried out to create a gentle slope from the path to the grass, and rail crossings will be realigned to 90 degrees to improve safety for wheeled users, such as mobility scooters, cyclists and scooters.

Walking and Cycling co-ordinator Braden Prideaux said community feedback highlighted the narrowness of the path and the inability to comfortably pass other users.

‘‘Widening the paths will bring them in line with NZTA standards that are based on allowing a pedestrian and a cyclist, or two mobility scooters, to safely pass each other with a natural distance in between,’’ Prideaux said.

The project would be carried out in stages to ensure users could continue to access the area between the two footbridges during construction.

Signage would be installed to advise users of the construction work, and it was important for people keep out of construction areas for their own safety.

‘‘In most cases people will be able to use the pathway on the opposite side of the river, or to go around the construction area on the grass,’’ Prideaux said.

Dog owners should keep their pets on a lead around the work sites.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-july.