Last week Mayor Annette Main and a group of enthusiastic cyclists officially opened Stage1of the City to North Mole pathway, which runs from the Whanganui City Bridge to Castlecliff. The pathway is a three metre wide sealed path and boardwalk which will upgrade the existing riverfront pathway.

The purpose of the shared pathways project is to encourage more people to cycle and walk to get around our urban area.

“Our goal behind our new ‘Let’s Go Whanganui’ project is to help make it easy to leave your car at home by providing safer ways to cycle and walk,” Mayor Main said.

“We want to improve active transport choices for people who not only want to bike or walk, but to scooter, skate or use mobility aids to get around. Our new shared pathways will provide better connectivity between existing transport links, improve safety for everyone and by interpretive signage will enable us to share the stories about our place.

“This pathway celebrates our river culture and history, creating an easy riverside trail that connects the town centre to our seaside suburb of Castlecliff, and creates an iconic end point for the Mountains to Sea Cycle Trail where it meets the Tasman Sea.

“You don’t have to be an avid walker, runner or cyclist to enjoy these facilities. The pathways and adjacent areas will be places for people to stop, enjoy and connect with the river or town centre, just as much as they will encourage people to travel along the pathways.”

The City to North Mole pathway is one of two urban shared pathways that will be developed with funding assistance from the government’s Urban Cycleways Programme.

The $219,000 tender for Stage1of the works between the Whanganui City Bridge and Bedford Avenue has been awarded to Presco Group. Stage 1 is to construct a concrete shared pathway, develop paving and seating areas and relocate the existing bollards, seats and cycle/pedestrian counter. The NZ Transport Agency and the Crown have funded 75 percent of this work. Stage 1 of the City to North Mole work is scheduled to be completed by July 2016. Details for Stage 2 are being finalised.

The second shared pathway, planned for construction in 2017/18, is the Te Tuaiwi Shared Pathway. This will be a three metre wide sealed path that will provide a safe route across the Whanganui City Bridge, through town and past some of our central schools.

It connects with many of our existing pathways through town and will give our children a safer route to school. It will also make it easier and safer for people to get across town on foot, by bike, scooter or skateboard, or with mobility aids.

Landscape designer Craig Pocock has developed some exciting concepts to enhance the areas along the shared pathway with parks, wetlands, seating, artwork and signs to create more vibrant spaces beside the river. To see these designs and find out more about the project, please visit www.whanganui.govt.nz/pathways.