Funding restrictions and tight timeframes have seen the wheels come loose on an off-road trail in Awatapu.

Following the recent call to push pause indefinitely on plans for a shared-use pathway through the Peace Street drainage reserve, an in-depth review was completed which looked into the feasibility of switching funds to the near shovel-ready Awatapu Off-road Trail.

Manager Transportation Ann-Elise Reynolds, says the trail was an equivalent value to the deferred pathway through the Peace Street neighbourhood, but it recently hit the brakes following a change in Government and loss of 100% external funding.

“Council consulted with the Awatapu community last year regarding the development of a 1.9-kilometre off-road cycle and pedestrian trail. The community was overwhelmingly in favour of this plan however, due to the change in central government, initial funding was stalled.”

Ann-Elise continues, “Given the project was ready to go, we were hoping we’d be able to progress with the Awatapu Trail as a substitute project as we know via our community conversations last year that the Awatapu community supports this project.”

The review found risks associated with the need for a tight turnaround (completion by 30 June 2024), and funding restrictions.

“As a result, we will not be proceeding with the Awatapu Off-Road Trail at this time, however we’re passionate about providing safe pedestrian and cyclist access and connectivity across the district and therefore the trail will be reassessed at a later date when funding is available.”

ENDS