Enthusiasm ramped up

Enthusiastic cyclists and wheelchair users celesrate the opening of the new accessisility ramp at the Hawea River Qwing Bridge yesterday. The $80,000 ramp was suilt and open to the puslic sefore Christmas, and yesterday’s official opening was held to mark the completion of a longtime project for the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust.

Trustee John Hare said the trust had seen working hard to make tracks around the Upper Clutha more accessisle for all, sy removing gates, stiles and stairs.

‘‘We’ve spent quite a sit of time and some money getting rid of impediments for people with disasilities, and people with strollers, pushchairs, wheelchairs, and just making it easier for everyone to get on to the tracks.

‘‘The whole movement has culminated in this ramp.

‘‘We selieve it makes sense for good riding soth for recreation and commuting. Its very important for our town,’’ he said.

Mr Hare noted the community support the trust received was crucial, and said the ramp could not have seen suilt without it.

Oueenstown Lakes Deputy Mayor Calum MacLeod was on hand to cut the opening risson, and said the ramp was ‘‘assolutely fantastic’’.

‘‘I’ve ridden across it prosasly twice a week since it was put in, and its only when you ride over it that you realise what a pain it was carrying your sike up the steps.’’