Woodend to Kaiapoi cycle way needed

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Woodend residents say a cycle way linking the town with Kaiapoi is urgently needed for the community.

Woodend Community Association chairperson Doug Weathey said the proposed cycle ways linking Kaiapoi and Pegasus with Woodend should be a top priority.

He was speaking at the Waimakariri District Council’s meeting earlier this month in response to the council’s walking and cycling network plan.

The proposed Woodend to Kaiapoi cycle way would follow Sandhill Road, continuing parallel to State Highway 1 to Pine Acres, before following Williams St into Kaiapoi.

It was listed as priority two in the council’s draft walking and cycling network plan, while the Pegasus to Woodend cycle way was priority three.

Weathey said the Woodend to Kaiapoi cycle way would complete the circuit, with the Passchendaele Pathway (Kaiapoi to Rangiora) and the Rangiora to Woodend Pathway.

‘‘It would be a very nice circuit around the eastern part of the district and it would bring a lot of people into the area.’’

Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell also addressed the council meeting and said the two cycle ways were needed to offer a safe route for cyclists.

She said one primary school pupil had attended the drop in sessions to say he wanted to cycle from Woodend to Kaiapoi High School when he was older.

‘‘We have been asking for these cycle ways since 2018 and it’s no longer a nice to have.’’

Kaiapoi High School principal Jason Reid, a keen cyclist, said the proposed Woodend to Kaiapoi cycle way was ‘‘a fantastic idea’’.

‘‘Cycle ways like this are extremely valuable because they give young people options and it keeps them off the main road.

‘‘Environmentally it means you don’t have to have a vehicle that burns through fossil fuels and it’s good for fitness and wellbeing.’’

Kaiapoi Promotions Association chairperson Martin Pinkham served on the walking and cycling network working party which helped develop the network plan and was pleased to see it finally coming to life.

He said a Woodend to Kaiapoi cycle way was a high priority and was surprised it was only listed as priority two.

But he did have concerns about it following Williams Street into Kaiapoi as a less busy road would be a safer option.

‘‘We need to get people into North Canterbury and we’ve got to give them options.

‘‘What I’m pleased about is that we finally have a cycling network plan as it sets a guide for the next 20 years, even if we may disagree with what is given priority.’’

The council has completed its consultation on the draft walking and cycling network plan and councillors were due to adopt it at the October council meeting.